More Than 20K Uber Drivers to Transfer to Grab Platform

Ridesharing firm Grab Philippines expects between 20,000 to 24,000 drivers of Uber will transfer to its platform following the acquisition of their Southeast Asian operations.

Grab has launched its activation center Tuesday for Uber drivers to migrate to their system as their operations is set to conclude on April 8.

“We have set up an activation center for Uber drivers who want to migrate to Grab’s platform para mapagpatuloy ang TNVS (We have set up an activation center for Uber drivers who want to migrate to Grab’s platform so that they will be able to continue their transport network vehicle service (TNVS) business),” Grab Philippines Country Head Brian Cu told a press briefing on the onboarding of Uber drivers in Quezon City Wednesday.

“We will be doing this even after the Uber operations conclude on April 8,” Cu added.

Grab will be coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in processing Uber drivers that are registered in its database.

“The LTFRB has agreed to provide us the masterlist of Uber’s drivers. We will be working with LTFRB to ensure smooth transition,” Cu said.

He encouraged Uber drivers to register online for them to transfer to Grab. Their system seeks to gradually integrate 2,000 drivers into its platform.

Cu estimates that Grab will have a total of between 55,000 and 60,000 drivers once all Uber drivers are signed in to its platform.

Grab is set to meet with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) next week as it expressed their openness to a possible review on its merger with Uber.

The company said that the merger will enable them to efficiently provide rides to their customers.

“With the increased supply base under one TNC, you should see that allocation times will get better because the density of cars across the maps should get better. It’s easier to allocate thus the surge will not be as frequent as it used to be,” Cu said.

For her part, LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada disclosed that three companies — Lag Go, Owto and Hype— are seeking accreditation as new TNCs.

“We are just waiting for their compliance as soon as they will be able to comply the Board will deliberate and come up with a decision,” Lizada said. “Any competition is good for the industry as this benefits the commuters.”

Last February, the LTFRB has issued a memorandum setting the common supply base for transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) units at 66,750.

There are 59,020 accredited TNVS units for both Uber and Grab whose Certificates of Public Convenience were not processed by the LTFRB due to the moratorium on applications last July 2017.  (PNA)