Expect price increase, longer waiting time to get a ride from Grab

Brace yourself for higher fares and longer waiting time to get a ride from app-based ride hailing service Grab Philippines as demand grows in the run-up to the Christmas season.

"On the demand side, there will be a 30 percent growth but our supply remains the same ... because we stopped accepting drivers since August," Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu said in a briefing in Makati City.

"Definitely, the extra load of 30 percent in demand ... it would be very, very hard to serve them ... They may have to adjust their travel schedules a bit. Longer waiting times will come into the picture because of the traffic," Cu said.

Because of the surge function, fares will go up as the supply of drivers is limited.

"Please, a bit more patience," Cu said.

The company is asking partner-drivers to stretch their time on the road to meet the increase in demand during the holiday season.

"We also encourage our part time drivers to drive full-time," Cu said.

Hopefully, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board can soon update its policy on accepting new drivers, he said. — VDS, GMA News