Uber Technologies Inc., a transport solutions provider, said it plans to expand its operations to other cities in the Philippines, including Davao, Cebu and Baguio within the year.
“We are looking at the largest set of cities. We are looking to bring transportation options where they are needed most and the largest cities that are fairly dense where there is a good smartphone penetration and where there’s good payments options,” Uber regional general manager for Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand”¯Mike Brown told reporters.
Brown said Cebu, Davao and Baguio would be important cities for Uber expansion outside Metro Manila. “Our goal is to be everywhere,” he said.
Brown said the company was looking at new modes of payment as not all Filipinos have credit cards.
“We are seriously considering it [opening of new mode of payment], so we are looking at other options across Southeast Asia. We don’t have anything to announce yet but we are seriously considering non credit card options,” he said.
Brown also said Uber planned to invest more in the Philippines which is one of the important markets in Southeast Asia.
“It certainly is one of the important markets in Southeast Asia. The Filipino people have really responded and the government has been an excellent partner for us. So, we will invest heavily in this market for a long time to come,” Brown said.
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. earlier signed a strategic partnership with Uber to introduce free in-car WiFi and special promotions for riders on Smart’s network.
The partnership with Uber will include a number of components, which will be rolled out over the coming weeks such as free in-car Smart Wifi and special promotions, discounts and on-demand experiences.
Smart subscribers in Metro Manila who are first time users of the app can get two free Uber rides worth up to P300 each from Sept. 9 to Sept. 30.”¯
Uber is one of the the transport network companies in the Philippines, which provides pre-arranged transportation services for compensation using an Internet-based technology application or a digital platform technology to connect passengers and drivers using their personal vehicles.
Uber was founded in 2009 and has operations in more than 335 cities in 60 countries.