Friday is my number-coding day, and for the past few Fridays that I’ve needed to venture into Makati, I’ve been relying on Grab Taxi to bring me to and from my meetings.
There was one Friday though that I had difficulty booking a taxi, even though it wasn't rush hour. I had to add a P50 tip incentive on top of the P50 booking fee and the base fare. I ended up paying almost P200 from Rockwell to Raffles Hotel.
Today, I decided to try Uber. Uber started in 2009 in San Francisco as an app that would connect passengers with cars for hire and other ride-sharing services.
Before you can book your driver, you need to download the app first and register. Because the drivers are strictly prohibited from handling cash, all payments are done via credit card--you won't be able to use the service without adding a credit card to your payment details. I tried using BPI's ePrepaid card and it was rejected, so I really had to use a credit card (I hope Globe ties up with them so you can use the Virtual AMEX card via GCash; I think this would be a great marketing tie-up and this will help broaden Uber's customer base to include those who don't own a credit card).
Once you've registered, here are the steps to book your Uber trip:
1. Launch the app (free on the AppStore/Google Play)
2. A map will be shown with your current location (The foursquare options are not as robust as Grab Taxi's). You can request for a pickup and a driver will be assigned to you. The map will then show driver's current location as well as ETA. You don't need to specify a drop-off point. Uber charges a P90 base fare + P2.10/minute + P12.92/km. There is a minimum fare of P120 and a cancellation fee of P100. Since Uber has your credit card details, be sure to honor your booked trip to avoid being charged a cancellation fee.
3. Once the driver arrives, get inside the car and tell him where you're off to.
4. Arrive at your destination; Uber will automatically charge your credit card.
5. Don't forget to thank the driver!
Based on my conversations with my two drivers today, Uber outsources their fleet, so the cars and drivers come from different car rental companies here.
My first driver, Ericson, was from Hannan Rent A Car, and he picked me up in a Toyota Altis (lime-scented courtesy of the air freshner in a can sitting atop the dash). He got a little bit lost and was very apologetic. Apparently, Ericson was just covering a friend's shift. He told me that he was set to return to Singapore on Monday, where he had been working as an assistant chef at a Turkish restaurant near Bugis since 2009.
"Sayang naman po yun vacation niyo, nagtrabaho pa kayo!" I said.
He laughed and said the P1,000 he was set to make today would be useful to treat his family out to lunch during the weekend.
I had myself dropped off at Manila Peninsula for an event. Uber charged my card P180 for a 3.49 kilometer ride. Uber emails you a detailed invoice of your ride with a breakdown of charges, a map showing your traveled route, driver information, pickup and drop-off points, distance traveled, trip duration, and vehicle's average speed (told ya it was detailed, CSI would have a field day).
From Peninsula, I had to go to Raffles Hotel next. There were no Uber cars available, so I used Grab Taxi, where my total fare for 0.54 KM was P50.50 plus P50 booking fee = P100.50.
From Raffles Hotel, I was able to book Uber again for my trip home. My next driver was Richard, and he pulled up in a sleek, black Lancer. I was waiting in the hotel lobby when he texted me: "im (sic) already here in the lobby."
The Lancer looked so new and clean; it smelled like a spa inside, and I don't know if there were tiny spa elves behind the air-conditioner vents throwing fresh petals to make the car smell good because there was no air freshener in sight.
Richard was well-groomed as well, clad in a pale blue barong, pants, and shiny brown shoes. This time around, Richard and spa Lancer came from Hertz. Richard was friendly, courteous, and spoke impeccably.
His car was so clean that I had to ask him, "What would you have done if you picked me up and saw that I had a dog with me?"
He laughed and said that he didn't know because it had never happened before.
"Would you have refused?" I pressed.
He hesitated. "'Di ako sure sa Uber, pero sa Hertz po bawal, ma'am."
On a previous Grab Taxi trip, I asked the driver the same question.
"Kung maliit lang, ok lang naman po. Pero may iba tumatanggi po."
My last Uber trip from Raffles Hotel to home cost me P174--not bad for a car that smelled like a spa!
I spent almost P500 today on transportation, easily the price of my gasoline and parking had I driven myself. Between Uber and Grab Taxi, of course I prefer Uber, even though the company has been under fire in the cities where it's operating because their services are unregulated and unlicensed by public transportation bureaus. I like the plush comfort Uber offers, but I am not doing away with Grab Taxi altogether. I'm just happy that there is a safe way to get around the metro when you are unable to use your car.
