Grab, AutoItalia PH Team Up to Expand GrabTrike Premium Service

Grab Philippines and AutoItalia Philippines are working together to modernize one of the country's mode of public transport, the tricycles. The two companies entered into a strategic partnership to push for the expansion of the GrabTrike Premium service in more cities in the Philippines.

AutoItalia Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Piaggio Ape vehicles in the country, believed that its partnership with Grab is significant in modernizing the transport sector in municipalities. Through the GrabTrike Premium, commuters will have an additional option when commuting in short distances. GrabTrike Premium is composed of Piaggio Ape City FI units, a three-wheeled light commercial vehicle based on the Vespa-brand scooter. AutoItalia says the Piaggio Ape has a maximum load capacity of 300 kg and can accommodate two to three passengers. The said vehicle is equipped with a Euro 4-compliant engine, which makes the Piaggio Ape a more eco-friendly mode of transport as compared to the traditional tricycles. The engine is said to deliver a fuel economy of 28 to 30 km/l and its transmission comes with reverse. AutoItalia added that the Piaggio Ape GrabTrike Premium units has a maximum climb of 20.5 percent gradient performance.

GrabTrike Premium is already activated in the municipality of Binalonan in Pangasinan, the first local government in the country to adopt the said service. There are now 24 active Piaggio Ape GrabTrike Premium units in Binalonan. On the other hand, GrabTrike is available in Bataan and Angeles, Pampanga.

"It's more economical than booking a car--particularly for short trips. For driver-partners, the low acquisition cost has been made even more affordable through our special financing plans," said AutoItalia Philippines General Manager Miguelito Jose. The availability of the GrabTrike Premium service in Metro Manila is yet to be announced by Grab. As of this writing, Grab and AutoItalia Philippines are sitting down with local government units (LGUs) and discussing the benefits and the vision of the GrabTrike Premium service.

Jose shared during the press conference that they have already started to share GrabTrike Premium's vision with various Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association (TODA) groups. Jose also said that AutoItalia and Grab consulted the said service to TODA groups. However, Jose didn't elaborate as to how tricycle drivers and operators responded to the concept behind GrabTrike Premium service.

Grab Philippines Country Head Brian Cu said that the booking fee for GrabTrike Premium is P10. The said booking fee will all go the driver's account, according to Cu. When asked to share about the estimate booking fare, Cu said that it will vary from one municipality to another as each has its own mandated fare matrix.