‘HirNa’ app for Davao taxi network out

DAVAO CITY – Davao-based taxihailing app HirNa is now available for download on smartphones, following the request of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the city's taxicabs to modernize its services.

The app is available for download on both iOS and Android.

The app was developed as a partnership between the city government, the Metro Davao Taxi Operators Association, Inc. and app developer Transwealth Fleet Management Corp.

The app would allow Davao-based passengers to connect with taxi drivers, with the city likely the first to have taxi networks to develop its own local application, aside from existing platforms such as GrabTaxi and ride-sharing app Uber.

Last year, transport officials said it would launch the app on the first quarter of this year.

Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Atty. Martin Delgra said that the app's launch was in time for the requirement of the agency for taxicabs to recalibrate its fares.

Davao City taxis have begun implementing recalibrations of its taxi meters, upon request of operators here.

Taxi flagdown remain the same but the fares in the city are now metered around R13 for every kilometer, compared to increments of 300 meters in previous calibrations.

However, as a condition, the LTFRB said it would require taxi fleets to undergo modernization efforts which include the installation of at least one ride hailing application, as well as other requirements such as dash cameras.

Taxi drivers here also report that LTFRB inspectors also require seatbelts and seats to be functional before their meters can be recalibrated.

Last year, Mayor Duterte requested for the taxis in Davao City to come up with an application.

“We encourage taxi operators association to invest in a single DavaoTaxi app and an official taxi complaint site to keep our taxi industry relevant and efficient,” Mayor Duterte said in a speech delivered in July last year.

“We do not want more alternative modes of transport in the streets because this would mean more vehicles on the streets and create further congestion,” she said.

The mayor said the city government will facilitate the creation of a central complaint center dedicated to abuses of taxi drivers.

The taxi operators and their units will then test the program for four weeks after the signing of the MOA.

The test will determine whether the app is effective on both user and developer side.

Davao City's taxi drivers are known for their honesty, returning change to the last peso or centavo. Drivers also routinely surrender lost items to police stations and broadcast stations.

However, there are passengers who had reported horror stories like refusals or additional fees for far-flung destinations.