The initiatives aim to help thousands of platform-based transport workers cope with rising fuel costs while protecting their livelihoods and ensuring that Filipinos who depend on ride-hailing, delivery, and motorcycle taxi services continue to have reliable mobility options.

The intervention comes as pump prices continue to surge amid global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions affecting the oil market. Diesel and gasoline prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, significantly increasing the daily operating costs of drivers who shoulder fuel expenses out of pocket.

Recognizing the strain on drivers’ earnings, both platforms said their support package focuses on three key pillars: fuel cost relief, earnings protection, and regulatory engagement, designed to cushion the impact of the oil price shock while maintaining service reliability for passengers.

“Our immediate priority is to help ensure that our drivers continue to earn viably and fairly for their families, while preserving service reliability for passengers and the sustainability of the platform as we collectively navigate volatility in the global fuel market,” said Ronald Roda, managing director of Grab Philippines.

He noted that protecting driver earnings is critical at a time when more Filipino households may turn to shared mobility to manage the rising costs of operating private vehicles.

Why it matters for drivers and commuters

When fuel prices spike, drivers are often the first to feel the pressure. Higher fuel costs can force some drivers to temporarily go offline, affecting the availability of ride-hailing and delivery services that many commuters and small businesses rely on daily.

By rolling out early support measures, Grab and MOVE IT aim to help drivers stay on the road while ensuring passengers continue to benefit from safe, dependable, and accessible transport and delivery services.

Fuel cost relief through industry partnerships

As part of the program, drivers can access fuel discounts through partnerships with major fuel providers including Seaoil Philippines, Caltex, Blu Energy, and Shell Pilipinas.

Through participating stations nationwide, driver-partners operating both four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles may receive fuel savings of up to ₱4 per liter.

In addition, Grab Finance is launching a targeted fuel rebate program through the Shell Fuel Card for nearly 20,000 eligible drivers and riders nationwide. Starting March 16 until the end of March, partners who refuel using their active Grab Finance Shell Fuel Cards will receive a ₱3-per-liter rebate, credited directly to them based on program mechanics.

Earnings protection and expanded incentives

To help stabilize take-home earnings, Grab is also introducing incentive adjustments across its services.

GrabCar driver-partners will benefit from commission rebates and per-trip cashback incentives, particularly during peak demand periods when fuel consumption tends to be highest.

Meanwhile, GrabFood delivery partners using motorcycles will receive a ₱3 spot bonus per completed delivery nationwide, regardless of total online hours or number of trips completed.

Recognizing that motorcycle taxi riders operate under different cost structures, MOVE IT is launching “Power Pasada,” a dedicated fuel resilience program designed specifically for two-wheel transport professionals.

The program includes monthly fuel allowances for consistently active rider-partners, along with AM and PM peak-hour incentives to help support riders during periods of higher demand.

Coordination with government and stakeholders

Both platforms are also maintaining active discussions with regulators, including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation, regarding the impact of the fuel price surge on ride-hailing and motorcycle taxi drivers.

The government recently announced a ₱5,000 fuel subsidy for affected transport workers, to be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with the Department of Transportation.

“We thank the DOTr and DSWD for recognizing TNVS professionals as equal partners in keeping the country’s transport ecosystem alive,” said Lisza Buscaino-Redulla, president of the United Transportation Coalition Philippines.

Transport sector leaders are also engaging regulators and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to explore additional support mechanisms for motorcycle taxi and on-demand delivery professionals.

“It is imperative that the entire transport ecosystem works together in finding the right support programs as we collectively try to survive this oil challenge,” said Romeo Maglunsod, chairman of the Motorcycle Taxi Community Philippines.

Commitment to sustained support

Grab and MOVE IT emphasized that the programs announced represent an initial response to the current fuel crisis, noting that both platforms will continue monitoring developments in the global oil market.

They also pledged to work closely with regulators, transport groups, and driver communities to ensure the country’s ride-hailing and delivery ecosystem remains resilient—and that the drivers who keep it running receive meaningful support during this challenging period.

Under the partnership, Grab and GAC will integrate their respective technologies to enhance the in-vehicle experience for Grab’s driver-partners, while also exploring improvements in after-sales support and fleet operations. The collaboration combines Grab’s hyperlocal mobility expertise in Southeast Asia with GAC’s global experience in electric taxi and ride-hailing solutions.

The initial rollout will feature three GAC EV models—Aion Y, Aion ES, and Aion V—in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. The vehicles are designed for professional ride-hailing use, offering features such as wide 90-degree door openings, generous rear legroom, and interiors configured for long driving hours.

As part of the partnership, the Grab driver app will be integrated directly into GAC’s intelligent cockpit system. This allows driver-partners to access navigation, trip information, high-demand area guidance, and safety alerts through a larger in-car display, reducing reliance on mobile devices and helping drivers stay focused on the road.

Grab driver-partners will be able to access the EVs through rentals from fleet partners or via financing options under Grab’s car ownership programs. Both companies said they will continue to explore technological innovations and expand EV deployment across the region.

“Integrating the Grab driver app into GAC’s cockpit system allows driver-partners to receive critical information in a more ergonomic and intuitive way,” said Philipp Kandal, Grab’s Chief Product Officer. “This reduces cognitive load while supporting our shared goal of advancing sustainability and carbon neutrality.”

The three GAC models were selected to meet varied market needs in Southeast Asia. The Aion Y is widely used for electric taxi services and premium airport transfers, the Aion V carries a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating and offers long range in an SUV format, while the Aion ES is known for its efficiency and ergonomic design in high-utilization fleet operations.

For GAC, the partnership provides access to Grab’s extensive regional network, offering exposure to millions of users and valuable insights into Southeast Asia’s fast-evolving mobility market.

The collaboration comes amid rapid EV market growth in the region. According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2025, electric vehicle sales in Southeast Asia rose by nearly 50% in 2024.

Grab has positioned itself as a regional testbed for EV solutions as part of its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Initiatives include expanding EV access for driver-partners, supporting charging infrastructure through partnerships, and increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly rides.

In the Philippines, Grab previously launched GrabTaxi Electric, the country’s first fully electric, on-demand taxi fleet recognized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in June 2025. Similar initiatives are underway across Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, where Grab currently operates more than 11,000 EVs.

With the Grab-GAC partnership, both companies aim to accelerate EV adoption while improving operational efficiency and driver experience across Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing sector.

Grab reports that worsening traffic congestion is extending trip completion times by 20 to 25 percent during peak hours, reducing the number of daily trips that transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers can complete. This, combined with a projected 36 percent rise in fourth-quarter ride-hailing demand, is putting added pressure on available TNVS vehicles.

To help address these challenges, Grab is working closely with New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, to minimize pick-up bottlenecks across terminals. The company is also coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB to maintain service availability during the holiday rush.

Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda said the company has been preparing for the expected challenges: “This holiday season will be a challenge, as in previous years. Traffic and heightened demand will create moments when getting a ride feels harder than usual, but we promise to do our absolute best to be better than last year. We have been preparing since the start of the year to ensure our services remain accessible enough to help every Filipino make their holiday celebration complete.”

Shuttle Rides and Carpool Services Ease Holiday Traffic

With ride-hailing demand at NAIA up more than 30 percent year-to-date, Grab is deploying free airport shuttle services during the busiest periods between 4:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Operating on the weekends of December 5–8, 12–16, and 19–22, the shuttles will run from Fridays to Mondays, and on Tuesday for the second week. Shuttles will transport passengers from NAIA Terminal 3 to the One Ayala transport hub, giving them access to broader mass transit options when TNVS supply is tight.

NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez welcomed the initiative, saying: “The holidays bring in so many travelers, and the rush makes it harder to get a ride. That’s why we appreciate Grab stepping in to strengthen transport options. Little things like this make a big difference when the airport is at its busiest.”

Grab has also enhanced its 24/7 concierge service at Terminal 3 to assist more passengers with booking a ride.

In addition, Grab launched its “Sabay Sakay” shared-ride program with the DOTr ahead of the holiday peak. The scheduled carpooling service currently covers key business corridors including Pasig–Makati and Pasig–BGC, with on-ground concierges consolidating bookings to improve seat utilization in areas with limited ride availability.

Maximizing Vehicle Efficiency Through Technology

To further increase the productivity of the current TNVS fleet, Grab is using its Group Rides feature, which enables a host passenger to share a link with up to three riders who can enter their own pick-up or drop-off points. Grab’s mapping system then determines the most efficient route to serve all passengers in a single trip, helping drivers serve more riders despite limited supply.

For deliveries, Grab’s Party Platters feature helps simplify bulk holiday orders by automatically assigning multiple riders to large-volume deliveries. This prevents fulfillment delays and supports smoother delivery operations during peak food demand.

Driver Support at the Core of Holiday Operations

Grab emphasized its continued commitment to supporting driver-partners during the busiest season of the year. Through Grab Academy, the company is offering refresher modules focused on safety, passenger handling, and service decorum to help ensure consistent and high-quality service throughout the holidays.

Last Saturday, almost a thousand TNVS applicants flocked GrabCar-AVAN which took place in the Grab Philippines Partner Center in Marikina City. The leading superapp attributes the increase in applicants to the removal of the Certificate of Conformity among the requirements of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for TNVS franchise application. 

TNVS applicants no longer need to submit the bank-issued COC for the application of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) after the passing of LTFRB’s Board Resolution No. 005 Series of 2023 last March 02. 

Among the applicants during the recent GrabCar-AVAN leg was 52-year-old Gregorio Garcia. Garcia has been a GrabCar driver-partner since 2016, paying ‘boundary’ to rent a car from an operator. But thanks to Grab’s partnership with Toyota Financial Services, Garcia was able to get his own car this January, allowing him to process his TNVS franchise as the owner. Formerly a jeepney driver, Garcia now plans on getting another unit to rent out to his fellow TNVS drivers. “Talagang malaki ang tulong na naibibigay sa akin ni Grab, unang una sa pinansyal – halos lahat ng pangangailangan namin nakukuha namin rito gaya ng mga gastusin sa bahay, pambayad ng kuryente at tubig. Ngayong may sarili na kong unit, nag-paplano na ako na makakuha ng isa pa sa mga susunod na taon para maging negosyo ko na siya talaga. Maraming salamat sa Grab,” shares Garcia. 

Grab Philippines Senior Director for Operations Ronald Roda shares: “We thank the LTFRB for making it easier for more Filipinos to earn an equitable living through ride-hailing – and it is clearly manifested with the outpouring of applicants from our recent GrabCar-AVAN. We are optimistic that through this development and programs such as GrabCar-AVAN, we are taking the right step towards providing more livelihood in the ride-hailing sector, while offering our commuters with safe, reliable, and more affordable means of mobility for their everyday needs.” 

For more information on the TNVS franchise application requirements and GrabCar-AVAN, interested applicants may check this link.

Poe, the Chairman for Senate Public Services Committee in concerned with the task being done for implementing issuances and policies without any consultation  that inevitably led to greater chaos of the already messy traffic situation being endured by the public everyday.

“The LTFRB seems to be crafting policies and issuances without hearing the side of the PUV operators, drivers and passengers.  It doesn’t get the complete picture, the result is a mess,” Poe said.

“Ipinapaalala natin sa kanila na ang mga pasahero, mananakay at operators at drivers ang dapat sentro ng kanilang mandato—ang mapadali, mapabilis at maging kaaya-aya ang pagbiyahe ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.

Poe’s committee recently held a hearing on the operation of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which bared some issues on rationalization of routes and issuance of franchises.

The new measures being implemented at Metro Manila’s new landport were seen as the culprit for the long queues of passengers at the Mall of Asia transport terminal last week.

Reports reaching the senator’s office tell of some commuters, including senior citizens, waiting for as long as three hours to get a ride home to Cavite.

“It is really disturbing that the basic law of supply and demand is not even readily apparent to LTFRB and DOTr,” she said.

“Akalain mong mayroon palang mga bus na pinapahinto sa PITX at pinapababa ang mga pasahero at pinatutuloy ang bus papasok ng Metro Manila nang walang sakay na pasahero,” she noted.

The lack of public consultation results in either a glut or a lack of PUVs in many areas, Poe said.

“Maraming puno na PUVs sa kalsada at walang mananakay na naghihintay sa lansangan sana ang makikita natin, hindi yung maraming walang laman na PUVs habang sandamakmak din na mananakay ang nabuburyong sa mga lansangan,” she said.

“There really is a problem with rationalizing routes and franchises being given out by the LTFRB,” Poe added.

She stressed the problems in rationalizing routes and issuing franchises should be addressed by the transportation body.

But she added the DOTr and LTFRB cannot possibly grant the proper number of franchises in actual areas without truly consulting the riding public and the PUVs involved.