Uber and Grab car: What is it?

QUEZON City, Philippines (December 21) – Some maybe wondering or still don’t know what an UBER or a Grab Car is? UBER and Grab Car are online-based ride-sharing vehicles operated using mobile app that connects passengers with drivers using their private vehicles, which permit commuters to use their smartphones to book a ride and submit a request on their pick-up and drop-off locations. On average, it only takes the UBER and Grab Car driver a minute to pick you up.

UBER and Grab Car can be classified as public utility vehicles just like taxi but said new forms of public transportation is much safer to use because they  provide the information of the cab and the driver and also let you track the cab on your screen. As an added security feature, you can send the details of the vehicle where you took your ride to your family and friends.

They have the policy that only those car models year 2007 or newer are the one that can register to drive with UBER or Grab Car because they value the cleanliness, neatness and the quality of the vehicles. Imagine yourself getting a ride on premium cars like Porsche, Lamborghini, Camry etc. isn’t it great!

Drivers are also courteous and considerate to their passengers they open the door of the car for you and sometimes give you free bottle of water and candy. They also offer discounts and promos especially for your first ride. It feels like you’re just riding your own car with your own personal driver serving you.

Travelling at night and looking for a cab is not a problem anymore because after you set your pick-up and destination on the application, a driver will be assigned to you as soon as a driver is available near you and accepts your request. You don’t need to go outside and wait for a cab because the UBER and Grab Car is the one that will go to your place where you indicate your pick-up location.

These two are almost the same but may differ in some instances like how will you pay your fare? As of now UBER only accept Credit card (cashless payment) and has a flat rate of Php 40 (for UberX). Then for every kilometer you will be charged Php 5.70. But you better check your fare estimate on their application first before booking because there’s some occurrence called “Surge” in which your location have no driver nearby, the multiplier will multiply your fare depending on your area. You will pay up to 3 times higher than your standard fare.

While the GrabCar accept cash payments and also offers flat rate of 40php (for regular GrabCar), it is based on a fare calculated before the trip even starts. Grabcar will tell you beforehand that you have to hand in P200 + P40 booking fee. Even if the trip was 3 hours long, you will still pay the flat fare of P240.

Both services are currently facing legal issues, not only here in the Philippines but also abroad, but based on the safety and convenience, I believe that UBER and Grab Car is here to stay.

Reference:

www.ecomparemo.com/info/uber-vs-grabcar-the-benefits-of-ride-sharing-services-in-the-metro/

(written by Mia Lydia Caragay, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)