TO avoid being victimized by unscrupulous taxi drivers plying the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), passengers can now avail themselves of a mobile-service app called Airport Shuttle Service Inc. (Assi).
The app was formally launched on Monday with several booths set up in all four passenger-arrival terminals of the Naia.
“As technology becomes more readily available to average smartphone users, Assi creates this smart phone-based technology for vehicle-booking app, similar to that being used by Uber, Grab and other service providers,” airport General Manager Ed Monreal said.
Travelers can access Assi by downloading through Google Play.
The airport chief said this new mobile app for airport vehicles is also in line with the aim of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of encouraging the use of advanced technologies and innovations for all forms of public-land transport.
Upon booking, travelers will encounter the uniformed Assi-accredited driver that will take care of their luggage and personal belonging. These drivers are well-trained and have undergone accreditation seminars conducted by the Department of Tourism.
Assi is accredited by the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) to exclusively operate within the airport franchise.
Being a concessionaire, it complies with the Miaa’s rigid requirements by paying concession fees and utilizing only LTFRB-franchised and Department of Tourism-accredited company vehicles. Their cars have tourist-designated plates with Miaa stickers. Riders are covered by comprehensive and passenger insurance.
The drivers have undergone seminars with the Airport Police Department (APD) before they are allowed to drive.
“We assure the riding public will be safer as their trips are being monitored from boarding to point of destination,” Assi President Romeo Sayaman said.
He said the system his company has introduced will discourage illegal vehicles from operating at the Naia and in time, removed the premier airport’s tag of being one of the world’s “worst airports” in global travelers’ survey.
He said the Assi mobile app will allow the riding public to do away with hailing taxi cabs and haggling with solicitors.
“Most important, they will be assured of no overcharging and no surging of fares,” he said.
Assi riders would be charged a fixed rate prescribed by the LTFRB, which would be flashed to the cellular phones prior to boarding their vehicle.
“No additional fees would be charged as we are putting up several Assi counters to monitor drivers,” Sayaman added, even as he encouraged other transport services at the Naia to adopt the same program.
Monreal lauded Assi, saying it will improve the image of the country’s premier airport as having the first transport concessionaire to respond to the call for a more efficient and honest airport-taxi service.
“There is a growing demand for expedient and easy ride at the airport and Assi is one in addressing this issue,” Monreal said.