The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has officially accredited inDrive, a global ride-hailing service with roots in Russia and US-based operations. This move sets the stage for inDrive’s official launch in the Philippines.
- Destination Cities: The company, founded by Arsen Tomsky, plans to initiate operations in Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan.
- Regulatory Approval: Despite initial concerns from the LTFRB regarding inDrive and another Russian-owned company, Maxim, due to lack of proper permits, inDrive has now secured its official accreditation.
- Focus on Driver Recruitment: inDrive is currently prioritizing driver recruitment, with an ongoing registration campaign set to conclude on December 31.
- App Features: inDrive claims to offer a more controlled ride-hailing experience to both drivers and riders. Notably, it allows passengers to suggest fares, choose pick-up times, and select vehicle types. Similarly, drivers can accept, decline, or counter-offer fares without penalties.
- Global Presence: The ride-hailing app has a presence in 655 cities across 48 countries and has amassed 175 million installations.
- Market Competition: The primary competitor in the Philippines is Grab, a Singapore-based ride-hailing service, which currently holds about 90 percent of the market share.
inDrive’s entrance into the Philippine market looks set to inject more options into the urban mobility landscape and possibly challenge Grab’s dominance.
