My GrabCar Experience
I was running late to work last Thursday and I was pretty sure commuting would be twice as hard already. So, I decided to download Uber knowing they offer P200.00 worth of free ride for their first-time users. Signing up was taking so much time, so I went for my second option, Grab. No regrets.
Grab app offered me two choices: GrabTaxi and the new GrabCar. I wanted to try their newest service so I booked a GrabCar and used promo code: CEBU. It didn’t disappoint. I found a driver on my first try, plus I received a P100.00 discount for my total fare.
The RIDE
My ride arrived in less than 5 minutes. Ehem, a Hyundai Elantra just fetched me, ehem. Anyway, I conversed with the driver along the way. He told me he owned the car and that I was his first passenger since he just joined the Grab service. He shared that he was also an Uber driver for a month and is trying out Grab because of some problems he encountered with the other mobile e-hailing application.
According to him, GrabCars are models from 2013 to present. He said that based on his observations, GrabCar drivers own the units they drive. Well, you don’t just entrust those brand-new wheels to anyone.
Pro’s of GrabCar to Drivers
It has always been a mystery for me how Grab and Uber drivers benefit from the app. I was told by the GrabCar driver that they earn more than the regular taxis because they don’t have to drive far or back and forth to look for passengers. They just have to wait for anyone near their area to book a ride. This will save them both gas and energy. But I think this is convenient only to GrabCar drivers who are just part time drivers. Then again, taxi drivers or drivers in general, based on my observation, do not drive for 8 straight hours.
Pro’s of GrabCar to Passengers
As of this writing, GrabCar has a promo code that gives passengers a P100.00 discount. Aside from this, GrabCar, unlike the other taxi booking service, has a fixed rate. So, your fare will not go beyond the estimated fare indicated during booking. I highly recommend this to people whose destinations are far and is anticipating heavy traffic. GrabCar and GrabTaxi has a slight difference in fare. Just to give you an idea, I paid P125.00 for GrabTaxi and P161.00 for GrabCar going to the same destination.
Cons of GrabCar to Drivers
Drivers have to share their income with Grab. Grab’s application for drivers is not as user-friendly as Uber according to the driver I talked to. Checking the fare upon arrival to your destination may also take time because of the connection.
Cons of GrabCar to Passengers
If your destination is near, we don’t recommend this because of their fixed rate. Even if you get to your destination fast, you still have to pay the minimum estimated fare. Otherwise, this is perfect if you want a luxurious ride once in a while.
