‘GrabTaxi’ now in Oro

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2015/11/03/grabtaxi-now-oro-439496
• Tuesday, November 3, 2015

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

GETTING a taxi would now be a click away for Kagaya-anons.

The taxi-hailing application dubbed as 'GrabTaxi' has now reached the city after the Cagayan de Oro First Taxi Drivers Alliance (Cafitada) sealed a deal with the GrabTaxi Company last week.

Bernie Jamaca, Cafitada president, said in an interview that passengers will now have 'more options' to get to their destinations in the most convenient way possible.

"Ang usual na gabuhaton sa taxi driver, kami ang mangita ug pasahero pero karon mismo ang mga pasahero na ang mangita ug mo-tap sa amoa aron sila makasakay," Jamaca said.

He said the app could cater to passengers in remote areas, including those traveling in rush hours, and accommodate passengers stranded because of frequent rains as well as with the warm weather.

To use the app, download first the GrabTaxi app in the PlayStore in your smartphones to perform a one-time activation process.

After turning on your phone's GPS, the app will then detect your location, and the number of taxi units available in your area.

With the complete information filled-out in the app, a taxi will now be assigned to the commuter after a minute. The app displays the driver's name, picture, and plate number including the app's estimated time duration of your travel.

The commuter then taps the "to" field and search his destination. The app will display the estimated fare and distance. Also, the commuter may add a note to the assigned driver to help locate the passenger.

The app will then track your driver's progress to get to your location. The commuter may also call his or her driver if one decides to give additional information.

Once you get on your taxi you can also SMS, email, or share a link to the passenger's family and friends so they will be able to track and know if the passenger got to his destination safely.

Jamaca also urges taxi drivers in the city to apply for the GrabTaxi app adding the registration requires no payment.

"Wala'y kwarta ang na-involve ani, to apply, only find officers of Cafitada para ma-guide sila," Jamaca explained.

Taxi drivers' barangay clearance, copies of professional driver's license and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LFTRB) identification card are required to apply at GrabTaxi.

Jojo Colada, 40, taxi driver, thinks that the GrabTaxi app would help increase his earning every day.

"Sa akong pagkadungog, chada ni kay ang mga pasahero mismo ang mangita sa ato, dili ta mahago pud ug suroy kay kalas gasolina, maayo tong kabalo na ta daan asa ta muadto," Colada said.

Claire De Mesa, 26, is glad with the development, "Naa naman ni siya sa major cities so happy pud ta na at last naa na gayud siya sa Cagayan de Oro. Dugay raman ko gapa-abot ani kay gamit gayud siya labina ting-ulan na, maka-save ug time ug energy," she said.

The GrabTaxi app has reached big cities such as Cebu and Davao last year. The full-blast operation of GrabTaxi in the city will start on December 1, meanwhile, seminars for taxi drivers are prioritized by Cafitada officers.

"Naa mi seminars starting November 6 at the Cafitada office in #24 Tomas-Saco streets," Jamaca said.