Grab Takes On Angkas, Partners With Local Motorcycle Taxi Hailing Service Move It

Grab Philippines is finally entering the motorcycle ride hailing service in the Philippines, but not by launching its own service. Instead the Singapore-based company has announced a partnership with MOVE IT, effectively putting it in competition against popular motorcycle taxi services Angkas and JoyRide.

The partnership means that MOVE IT services will now be available through the Grab platform, instantly widening its customer base. At the same time, Grab users will now get access to a motorcycle taxi service.

According to a news release provided by Grab, all fares reflected on the MOVE IT tile in the Grab app will continue to follow the pricing matrix for the motorcycle taxi pilot—with no additional fees.

The MOVE IT tile will be available on the Grab app beginning Thursday, 23 September 2021. Existing MOVE IT customers can still book rides through the MOVE IT app.

In addition to providing Grab customers with a new ride-hailing option, as well as expanding MOVE IT riders with a wider access to the ride-hailing market, both companies pledged to provide the Transport Working group (TWG) with more safety statistics and insights on motorcycle taxi safety “to support the goals of the motorcycle taxi pilot.”

“Our customers and our riders will always be our top priority, and we are blessed to have an equal partner in Grab who will work with us to provide more Filipinos with greater access to motorcycle taxi services offered by MOVE IT,” said Francis Juan, President and CEO of MOVE IT. “Through this landmark partnership, we are confident that many Filipinos will experience and enjoy its many benefits, and we are hopeful that the bike-hailing industry will continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.”

“Filipinos are known for our bayanihan spirit—our deep sense of community and camaraderie,” said Grace Vera Cruz, Country Head of Grab Philippines. “Our partnership with MOVE IT is a hallmark expression of how transport stakeholders can come together for the common good, and we invite all companies to join us towards this mission.”

In addition to motorcycle transport, MOVE IT also offers parcel pick-up and delivery. It’s one of the three motorcycle taxi services that have been certified fully compliant with health and safety guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The other two are JoyRIde and Angkas. Motorcyle taxi operations of all three companies were suspended for several months last year due to the pandemic.

Grab had once entered the motorcycle taxi business with its Grab Bike service. In January last year, it submitted a letter of intent to the government’s inter-agency TWG asking to participate in the motorcycle taxi space.