Name Your Fare: Everything You Need to Know About New Ride-Hailing Service inDrive

(SPOT.ph) inDrive has received its official accreditation from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), allowing them to operate in the Philippines. These days, traffic and high fares have turned ride-hailing services into a luxury, so news about competitors joining the road will always get people excited. 

Launched in 2013, inDrive has become one of the largest international ride-hailing companies. What sets inDrive apart is that it operates differently from traditional ride-hailing apps like Grab and Uber. Instead of relying on algorithms to set fares, inDrive allows passengers and drivers to directly negotiate the price of the ride. This unique feature has earned it the nickname "the app for fair rides."

inDrive was the second most downloaded mobility app in 2022, with operations across 47 countries.

When will inDrive launch in the Philippines?

There’s no official launch date in the Philippines yet, but we’re getting there.

inDrive will be launching its pilot services in five major cities: Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan. Driver registrations will take place for these locations until December 31.

Only tricycle rides are available in Bacolod City at this time. 

Also read: Here’s How You Can Get 10% Off on 60 Grab Car Rides

What’s the difference between inDrive vs Grab?

Currently, Grab is the dominant ride-hailing service in the Philippines, with a market share of around 90% since it took over Uber in 2018.

The entrance of inDrive is expected to put pressure on existing players like Grab to be more competitive, thanks to its unique pricing model and surge-free pricing. The increased competition potentially means lower fares for users.

Here are the key differences between inDrive and Grab:

• Direct negotiation: Passengers and drivers can directly negotiate the fare for each ride. This means passengers can potentially get lower fares than what they would pay on other ride-hailing apps.
• Surge-free pricing: inDrive does not have surge pricing, which means fares remain stable even during high demand periods.
• Driver choice: Passengers can see the driver's profile, car details, and rating before confirming the ride.

Like Grab, users can share ride details with friends and family and rate drivers after the ride.

Also read: What We Know So Far About the Proposed Ride-Hailing App Tara

How to use inDrive

You can already download the inDrive app from the App Store or Google Play Store as early as now. However, trying to book a ride will only show a "This service is temporarily unavailable" pop-up.

Make sure to grant the app permission to access your location.

Requesting a ride

1. Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations
2. Choose your ride type
3. Set your desired fare
4. Review the details of your ride request and confirm

Negotiating the fare

1. Drivers nearby will receive your request and send you price offers
2. Review the offers and choose the one that best suits your budget
3. You can also counter-offer the drivers to negotiate the price further

Confirming a ride

1. Once you accept a driver's offer, the ride is confirmed
2. You will see the driver's profile, car details, and estimated arrival time
3. You can also chat with the driver directly through the app