MeDaTOA to test-run new hailing app by Nov; another group to partner with MiCab DPTOA-MICAB
THE METRO Davao Taxi Operators Association, Inc. (MeDaTOA), which recently signed an agreement Transwealth Fleet Management Corp. for a mobile hailing application, is preparing to test the system by Nov. with an initial 50 cab units. MeDaTOA President Rogelio G. Largo said they are targeting to fully launch the hailing app by Dec. 15. “The system will be put to a test involving about 50 taxi units in two weeks time… and we’ll be getting feedback from the drivers and passengers,” he told the media. Mr. Largo said once the system is operational, MeDaTOA is open to including both fleet and individual taxi operators. “Once this will be launched, we are looking at covering whether these are individually operated or fleet operator, importante (what is important is that they are a) member of MeDaTOA,” Mr. Largo said.
Meanwhile, another group of cab operators in the city, the newly formed Davao Prime Taxi Operators Association (DPTOA), is partnering with taxi ride-hailing app MiCab, which already operates in the cities of Cebu and Iloilo and is also set for launching in Metro Manila. Ryan Tan, assistant manager of the Mabuhay Taxi/Blue Taxi group, one of DPTOA’s members, told BusinessWorld in an e-mail that their association is “initially composed of large taxi fleet operators with a fleetsize of 100 to 1,000 units each.” He said DPTOA is composed of the following companies: Mabuhay/Blue; KittyKab; Maligaya/Premier Cab/Visa Cab/Master Cab/Apple Cab/SMTI /Orange Cab; Solid 88; Midvalley; Gelgai/Revoh; SNN; STC; and Holiday. —