Motorcycle taxi company Move It on Tuesday said it aims to grow its user base to as much as 1 million users this year, banking on the recent app upgrade that it implemented together with investor Grab.
Wayne Jacinto, the general manager of Move It, said he is “optimistic” that the company will be able to expand its user base this year, as he highlighted the innovations recently integrated into the mobile app, some of which he said will “set a new benchmark for motorcycle taxi services” in the Philippines.
“Right now‚—ballpark—we have hundreds of thousands of users. For this year, we target to hit 1 million users,” he said in an interview. “The reason for this optimism is we want to have a higher standard. We are positive about this because of the new app’s features and reliability.”
On Tuesday, Move It announced an enhanced version of its mobile application for both rider-partners and passengers, integrating safety and reliability functions from technology partner Grab.
With a focus on reliability and efficiency, the app guarantees a 99.95 percent uptime—ensuring seamless booking experience especially during peak hours.
Move It also said it enhanced safety features, introducing an in-app VOIP calling feature, a Share-My-Ride feature, and a 24/7 Safety Center that provides round-the-clock emergency assistance.
The app has introduced cashless payment options, including debit and credit cards, for a seamless transaction process.
Jacinto said Move It is actively working with leading mobile wallets to offer more convenient payment modes.
“Our enhanced app is a timely response to the evolving needs of passengers and rider-partners. Through our enhanced app, our rider-partners will benefit from improved efficiency, enabling them to earn more, while our passengers will enjoy a user-friendly and more intuitive interface.”
Jacinto noted that Move It intends to grow its rider-partners with plans to tap the informal habal-habal industry to “professionalize” them. Move It is conducting onboarding campaigns to maximize its current supply allocation of 15,000 riders.
Meanwhile, transport advocacy network The Passenger Forum (TPF) called on the government’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on Motorcycle Taxis to “remove the cap for motorcycle taxis so the said transport subsector can better serve commuters.”
“We believe it is about time to do away with the limit for motorcycle taxis as it impedes the potential of MC taxis to serve commuters, and provide livelihood for riders. No other than the Philippine Competition Commission recommended the removal of the cap as it will lead to better commuter experience,” TPF Convener Primo Morillo said.
Last week, Senators suggested the removal of the supply cap on motorcycle taxis, especially since motorcycle taxi companies only operate at 30 percent of their capacities especially during rush hour. The same hearing also revealed that other countries do not impose limits for operating motorcycle taxi units.
“It is no secret that many commuters appreciate and patronize motorcycle taxis especially now that there is an apparent lack of public utility vehicles. Even habal-habals proliferate due to the PUV deficit,” Morillo said.
