Grab Philippines, through its recently acquired motorcycle taxi firm, MOVE IT, is looking to onboard at least 6,000 driver-partners in the next three months.
Recently, Grab said it has secured the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board’s approval to acquire MOVE IT that has a 7,000-rider cap, of which less than 1,000 are active riders.
Ronald Roda, Grab Philippines senior director for strategy and operations, said the company will help MOVE IT further ramp up its existing motorcycle taxi fleet and will onboard at least 6,000 drivers within three months.
“There is a lot of unserved demand in motorcycle taxi. We believe just by ramping up the driver fleet, and just basic awareness, demand will come, because there’s a lot out there,” Roda told reporters during a press briefing last week.
MOVE IT will be independently operated using its existing technology and app, and it will continue to comply with the standards set by the Department of Transportation’s motorcycle taxi pilot program, Grab Philippines said.
Francis Juan will remain as MOVE IT chairman to lead the company, leveraging his deep knowledge on the motorcycle taxi industry to better address market gaps, and leverage untapped market opportunities, it added.
Grab Philippines will also work with MOVE IT to further enhance its safety and service quality standards to be at-par with Grab’s motorcycle taxi services across Southeast Asia.
“As we turn a new chapter for our country, Grab Philippines will continue to play an active role in bringing forward the spirit of bayanihan and value-creation — and this milestone that we humbly share with MOVE IT clearly expresses that,” said Grace Vera Cruz, Grab Philippines country head.
“As one of the first tech platforms who firmly believed in the potential and value of the Philippine market ten years ago, we’re doubling-down on our commitment to outserving the needs of the Filipino people, and we are optimistic that through MOVE IT, we will create more livelihood opportunities, spur greater economic activities, and help improve every Filipino’s daily commute,” Vera Cruz added.
At present, Grab Philippines has over 10,000 riders for its retail and delivery operations. – Myla Iglesias
