Grab will have a competitor with inDrive

There's a new alternative to Grab when it comes to ride hailing, and it's going to offer its services very soon.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has officially accredited inDrive – a global mobility and urban services platform that's based in Mountain View, California as a Transport Network Company (TNC), paving the way for the brand to offer ride-hailing services in the country. 

Prior to the company’s entry into the Philippines ride-hailing market, inDrive has already established a firm presence in three other countries in the Southeast Asia region, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Globally, inDrive is present in over 700 cities and 45 countries.

Unlike typical ride-hailing apps, inDrive offers users more choice and control over their experience. Passengers can select their preferred driver, and vice versa. Once a ride request is confirmed, passengers are presented with a list of available drivers, allowing them to choose based on preferences like driver rating, vehicle model, and estimated time of arrival.

Similarly, drivers have the freedom to choose the most suitable rides. They will receive detailed ride requests, including fare, pick-up point, and destination, enabling them to select or ignore ride requests without penalties. This provides drivers with flexibility, empowering them in their money-making endeavors.

Safety is a top priority for inDrive, demonstrated through various features:

• Real-time sharing of GPS location and ride details with trusted contacts.
• A dedicated emergency button connecting users directly with law enforcement
• agencies.
• A chat function for private communication between passengers and drivers.
• 24/7 support via in-app chat and email.
• A stringent driver registration process.

Additionally, inDrive has introduced a Safety Pact, fostering a three-way alliance between passengers, drivers, and inDrive. This pact emphasizes shared responsibility for ensuring the safety of every ride.

For the initial phase, inDrive will activate its application in five cities: Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan. The company is currently focusing on efforts to bolster its supply with driver recruitment initiatives before officially launching and expanding its services in the Philippines.

As a start, inDrive is currently running a driver registration campaign in the five cities from now until 31 December where drivers who have successfully registered with the platform will receive a fuel voucher worth USD 10. To participate, drivers must ensure they possess all the necessary accreditations.

The inDrive app has been downloaded over 175 million times, and was the second most downloaded mobility app in 2022. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of urban services, including intercity transportation, freight delivery, task assistance, courier delivery, and employment search.