Switching Gears to Uber and Grab

Not everyone wants to walk home after work or school, especially during a hot or rainy day. Most people would rather be fetched by their relatives, or simply commute home on a jeepney, bus, train, or a taxi. Furthermore, some people prefer riding a regular taxi when travelling, especially when it is payday. However, in reality, there are some taxi drivers who are rude, impatient, and even choosy when it comes to their passengers. In some cases, taxi drivers would take advantage of their passengers for money or even kidnap them for a certain ransom.

The aforementioned scenarios reinforce the need for an organized taxi system­­­­­. Hence, Uber and Grab were made. Uber and Grab are two different companies that both cater to the common need of everyday people which is transportation. These systems give opportunities of livelihood to many Filipinos who can drive as long as they follow the requirements when applying for Uber or Grab. The two companies have their own application on either iOS or Android that gives anyone with the app an option to ride for a certain rate. Both companies also have a systematic way of circulating drivers and their passengers all over Metro Manila.

The things that make Uber and Grab different from regular taxis are the promos and incentives for both the drivers and the passengers. Since both Uber and Grab have an app, it makes finding a vehicle more convenient than regular taxis. Customers can search and locate Uber or Grab cars nearby through the app and have the option to request for a trip to wherever they wish to go. Uber and Grab have proven to be a lot safer than regular taxis because the two services present the info of the driver and the vehicle when searching for a ride when using their app.

Regular taxis are not the only rides that have their pros and cons, Uber and Grab do too. Uber earns 20% of the income while 80% will serve as the earnings of the driver or car owner. Basically, this system is a partnership between drivers or car owners and the popular company. Uber has a certain standard for drivers who want to enlist themselves in the scheme. The cars that must be used are not as big as SUV’s and are either brand new or an early 2012 model. Uber also gives their customers the option to pay through their credit card with the app, or pay cash upon arriving at the destination. The downside that Uber has is that the rate may be doubled which is what they call a “surge”. A surge frequently happens when there is heavy traffic in an area which we all know is evident in Metro Manila.

Grab is quite similar to Uber but the service includes regular taxis to partner with Grab. The benefit of using Grab includes having a fixed rate for passengers. Whether there be traffic jams or none, the passenger would pay the fixed amount that the app tells them before taking the ride. The app analyzes the route and destination and gives a certain rate. The driver, of course, has the option to accept or decline the ride to budget the gas for the vehicle. Grab has installed many stalls in various establishments like malls where more people have the option to use the service. In these stalls, there are staff that help interested customers in obtaining a Grab car for transport.

So the next time you can’t catch one of those reckless jeepneys, crowded trains, or risky taxis, you might just find it easier to pull out your smartphone and have Uber or Grab escort you to your next destination.

#uber #grab #transportation