It’s a sad fact of life that commuting to and from work in Metro Manila can sometimes be more tiring than work itself. So it’s no wonder those who can afford it use ride-hailing services instead of enduring public transportation. I know car owners who’d rather use a P2P Bus or a ride-hailing service rather than deal with the stress of driving or finding parking in the metro.
However, it isn’t always easy to book a ride online, especially during rush hour and in busy areas. The surge pricing can also be a bit of a downer, so it’s good to have alternatives.
ICYDK, last July 2024, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) accredited 14 new and renewed 5 existing Transport Network Companies (TNCs), bringing the total number of accredited ride-hailing options to 19.
Renewed
- Grab
- Joyride E-Commerce
- Cloud Panda PH, Inc.
- E-Pick Me Up Inc.
- Hirna Mobility Solutions, Inc.
Newly accredited
- PureRide Corporation
- UNLA La Corporation
- Leggo Information Technology Solutions
- Aztech Solution International Corp.
- Metrohills Transport Association Inc.
- Hail Transport Inc.
- Angkas Technologies
- GoCab Corp.
- Unified Transport Operations League Corp
- Peek Up Philippines Corporation
- Get Express Global Corporation
- Para Xpress Technology Services Inc.
- Taxsee Philippines Inc.
- RL Soft Corporation
According to the agency, this move is expected to increase competition in the ride-hailing industry, give the commuting public more options, and improve the overall quality of ride-hailing services.
Here’s what you need to know about the various ride-hailing options in Metro Manila and other major cities of the Philippines. Take note that some of the new players are still in the early stages of developing their apps or recruiting driver-partners, so may not be fully operational yet.
What are TNCs and TNVS?
First, let’s get a refresher on the acronyms and jargon used by local transport agencies. Transport Network Companies (TNCs) or ride-hailing companies refer to platforms or companies that provide on-demand transportation services for passengers.
In contrast to taxis and other more traditional for-hire transportation services, TNCs typically “do not maintain their own vehicle fleets or operate conventional dispatch centers.” They provide technological infrastructure, such as mobile apps, that allow users to request rides from different service providers and drivers.
On the other hand, Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), according to the LTO, refers to the “innovative ride-hailing system” or service offered within a TNC platform. All TNVS operate through smartphone apps managed by the TNCs.
Grab Philippines
Grab is currently the dominant ride-hailing and delivery service provider among the country’s TNCs. Grab offers a wide range of essential services including mobility services like ride-hailing cars, taxi services and delivery services (including food, groceries and packages) through GrabTaxi and GrabCar. Meanwhile, the motorcycle taxi service MoveIt is a self-sufficient company under Grab Holdings. Grab is widely available in Manila, Baguio, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legazpi, Naga, Pampanga, and other major cities and urban centers. In case you don’t have it yet, you can download the Grab app here.
Joyride E-Commerce
JoyRide bills itself as the #1 homegrown ride-hailing and delivery super-app in the Philippines. While initially launched as a motorcycle taxi service, they’ve expanded their ride-hailing offerings to include car taxi services in 2022 and even tricycles (or taxicles) in select areas. The Joyride app is simple and easy to use, with real-time tracking, and multiple payment options, including cash. JoyRide's coverage includes Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Cebu and Baguio. Download the JoyRide app here.
Cloud Panda PH, Inc. (Toktokgo)
IT company Cloud Panda is the operator of the Toktokgo ride-hailing service. The Filipino-made app Toktok was initially designed to offer hassle-free online deliveries for door-to-door products during the pandemic. While they specialize in food, online shopping, and parcel delivery (from small to bulk items), they’ve added ride-hailing car services as their newest offering.Toktokgo allows users to book cars for hassle-free and safe journeys to various destinations at affordable rates. They offer sedans ideal for 1-2 passengers, small MPVs for 2-4 people and large MPVs, which can fit a maximum of 7 passengers. Download Toktokgo here.
E-Pick Me Up Inc.
E-Pick Me Up offers transportation (taxi and TNVS services and express motorbikes) and delivery (courier, parcel and food) services. You can also book different personalized on-demand services including home cleaning, laundry services and repairs, just like taxi booking services through their app. Download the ePickMeUp app here.
Hirna Mobility Solutions, Inc.
Hirna is a ride-sharing or e-hailing app launched in Davao that currently offers transport services, parcel delivery, and food and mart services. Hirna provides fleet management and logistics solutions to GOJO, short for Good Journeys. Their coverage area includes Davao, Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Iligan City and Iloilo City. If you live in or are heading to any of those cities, you might want to download Hirna here.
Pure Ride Corporation
Pure Ride Corporation aims to provide “easy, fast, and secure private transportation and delivery services at the most affordable rates” and become a premier ride-hailing and delivery service in the Philippines. As stated on their website, the service will launch in the 4th quarter of 2024. Check out the Pure Ride app here.
UNLA LA Corporation
Unla La Corporation is a Dagupan-based company that provides services in select Pangasinan areas, including delivery and app development. Unla La will provide food delivery, grocery, shopping, bills payment and other errands with tricycles as their ride-hailing fleet based on screenshots of their app. Download the Unla La app here.
Leggo Information Technology Solutions
Leggo Information Technology Solutions doesn’t seem to have an official website or social media accounts, but the company is headquartered in Quezon City based on a company report. There’s a LEGGO Rides app on the App Store that lists ride-hailing services and car rentals “from compact cars for urban adventures to spacious SUVs for family road trips.” Check out the LEGGO Ride app here.
Aztech Solution International Corp. (Snappy)
Aztech Solution International Corp. is the operator of Snappy, which describes itself as an “All-Filipino ride-hailing and ridesharing app that knows the market best.” Their ride-hailing services will consist of regular 4-door sedans, mini-sedans, full-sized sedans, SUVs and luxury vehicles. Their website also lists a “cab-barkada” carpooling option for officemates going the same route for a fun commute. Download the Snappy app here.
Metrohills Transport Association Inc.
Aside from initial registration with the SEC in 2017, and mentions of the company in news reports with lists of the newly accredited TNCs, there’s not much information available online on Metrohills Transport Association Inc. or their ride-hailing app yet.
Hail Transport Inc.
Hail Transport Inc. aims to provide quality, reliable and affordable ride-sharing services to customers and provide a “safe and convenient mode of transportation for everyone” through their Hail app. Their website doesn’t go into the specifics, but their main headquarters is in Quezon City. Download the Hail taxi booking app here.
Angkas Technologies
Angkas, currently the most popular motorcycle taxi operator in Metro Manila, is on LTFRB’s list of newly accredited ride-hailing companies. “Angcars,” a new option for car ride-hailing is currently live on the app next to the original moto-taxi and Padala service. Angcars is still in the beta phase and only available in select areas in Metro Manila. Angcars is currently servicing Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Meanwhile, Angkas operates in NCR, parts of the Greater Manila Area, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro and plans to expand to more cities and provinces all over the Philippines. Download the Angkas app here.
GoCab Corp.
GoCab Corp. is an “emerging tech-based company that aspires to be a household brand when it comes to daily errands” with their GoCab booking app for different delivery services. According to their website, GoCab will offer 4-wheel car booking and 2-wheel transport (motorcycle taxis), food and on-demand delivery services.
Unified Transport Operations League Corp (UTOL)
Unified Transport Operations League Corp. or UTOL is a Filipino-owned company conceptualized in 2017 that aims to provide a “better option with a better price” for transport and logistic needs. According to their website, UTOL will offer 4-wheel rides and 2-wheel rides, with more services in the pipeline.
As cited in an ABS-CBN report, UTOL aims to give jobs to unconsolidated jeepney drivers and operators who may lose their franchise due to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization (PUVM) program. UTOL is also one of the TNCs that will operate in Cebu, as per a SunStar report. Download the UTOL app here.
Peek Up Philippines Corporation
PeekUp, headquartered in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, is “a Pinoy-made solution to our transportation woes.” PeekUp offers a hassle-free way to book a ride in Manila and aims to be the “go-to ride-hailing app for affordable, comfortable, and convenient travel experiences.” As cited in various news reports, PeekUp said its service “guarantees ride availability, even during peak hours.” The company will offer a compact 4-seater, taxi, and a 6-seater vehicle and will incorporate dynamic pricing for budget-friendly rates. They also plan to include safety measures like stringent partner-driver screening and real-time ride monitoring. PeekUp’s service area will cover Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and nearby cities. Download the PeekUp app here.
Get Express Global Corporation
Get Express managed by Get Express Global Corporation is a food delivery platform and on-demand delivery courier service based in Pasig that aims to deliver goods and specific needs through Pabilig Ka-GET riders and provide ride-hailing tricycles in certain areas. Based on their last Facebook post, they're hiring riders in Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bacolod, Davao and Iloilo. Download the GetExpress app here.
Para Xpress Technology Services Inc.
Xpress by Para Mobility and Logistics Ventures is a Filipino-owned brand powered by Cebuana Lhuillier that aims “to provide a viable transportation option for all types of commuters.” It will be offering MC Taxi and 4W transport service and will be available across the National Capital Region (NCR). Check out the Xpress app here.
Taxsee Philippines Inc.
Taxsee Philippines Inc., which operates Maxim Rides & Food Delivery offers technologies for ordering trips, cargo transportation, purchases and delivery. Aside from cars for day to day rides, the e-hailing company launched motorcycle taxis and trucks for transporting freight up to 2000 kg. Download the Maxim app here.
RL Soft Corporation
RL Soft Corp. is the operator of inDrive, a US-based company that initially planned to launch with a “people-driven” approach and fare proposal system, which was rehauled to comply with LTFRB requirements. The ride-hailing service operator resumed operations in Metro Manila as it continues to onboard more drivers to activate services in five cities including Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Bacolod soon. According to a recent Reddit thread, inDrive currently offers the cheapest rates compared to similar services while it’s still in a trial phase. Download the inDrive app here.
Got any tips and hacks for using ride-hailing services? Let us know in the comments section.
