Here's what we know so far about inDrive, the new ride-hailing service in the PH

Booking ride-sharing apps in the Philippines hasn't always been a smooth experience. You'll often hear social media users complaining about the long wait times, limited availability, and intense competition among drivers. But hopefully, it'll get better once this new player officially launches in the country.

Just recently, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) formally recognized inDrive, one of the largest international ride-hailing companies, as a transport network company in the Philippines. This came after the company filed its accreditation application on Jan. 27, 2023.

The firm, which was established in Russia and currently has its headquarters in the United States, will pilot its driver registrations in some parts of the Philippines, including Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan, until December 31.

The exact date of the company's formal launch in the country and the number of fleets assigned to it have yet to be disclosed.

Here's what we know so far about inDrive:

inDrive and its services

The California-based mobility service is known for its "people-driven" approach and its fare proposal system. Through the app, both the driver and passenger have the freedom to negotiate fares. This means that passengers can suggest a fare for their ride, and drivers have the flexibility to accept, decline, or propose a counteroffer without fear of penalties. Additionally, passengers will be allowed to select from a list of available drivers, which shows driver rating, vehicle model, and estimated time of arrival.

inDrive offers city rides, city-to-city, courier delivery, and freight delivery. However, in the Philippines, Tricycle Ride is only available in Bacolod City.

Each ride is recorded and monitored, which helps reduce the risk of incidents during trips.

A dedicated in-app support function is also available so that passengers can get assistance to reclaim any items accidentally left behind.

Where is it available?

Before entering the Philippines, inDrive operated in more than 700 cities across 45 countries, encompassing Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Currently, it is focusing on driver recruitment and onboarding in the Philippines, said a representative.

As of Nov. 16, more than 300 drivers have joined inDrive in Bacolod.

According to reports, drivers will be exempted from paying service fees when accepting rides for a certain period.

How it works

Booking a ride

• Download the via Google Play store, Apple Store, and AppGallery and create an account.
• Enter your mobile number. A code will be sent to you to verify your device.

• Choose your mode: passenger or driver. Don't worry, you can change the mode once you have created an account.
• Enter your name.
• Input your pickup and drop-off location as you would do in other ride-hailing apps. What makes the app different is that you can put a reasonable fare of your choice upon booking and haggle with the driver. So far, it only accepts cash as mode of payment. An "options and comments" box is also available for you to add notes to your driver.
• Lastly, you can toggle the switch if you are booking for more than four passengers.

inDrive's ride-sharing service is available in key cities like Iloilo and Bacolod, with more cities to come soon.