Grab Philippines and its motorcycle taxi partner MOVE IT are teaming up with the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services to transform the ride-hailing industry’s assessment, onboarding and training processes.
The partnership is geared at developing a more holistic approach to the way the ride-hailing platforms work with drivers, aiming to introduce tools and policies that recognize behavioral and cognitive factors that influence driver performance.
This marks a shift toward a more nuanced and data-driven standard for ride-hailing platforms – elevating current traditional assessment metrics and requirements like driving skills tests and police records.
The pilot implementation of policy and process changes resulting from this partnership is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025.
To ensure the program is grounded in extensive research, Grab, MOVE IT and the Ateneo team are utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods to gain insights into driver behavior, socio-demographic backgrounds, and passenger perceptions.
The research includes interviews, focus groups and data analysis aimed at identifying patterns that influence road behavior and encourage a safety-first mentality among drivers.
“At Grab, we are guided by the principle of ‘Kaizen,’ which emphasizes continuous improvement. As safety and security are among our core commitments to users of our platform, we are constantly innovating and raising standards to deliver on these,” said EJ deal Vega, Grab Philippines director for mobility.
“Through our collaboration with the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services, we are elevating the standards on driver assessment and training to reinforce desirable driver behaviors and mindsets that align with Grab’s core values,” he said.
“We are confident that these enhancements will not only propel the long-term success of our driver-partners but also strengthen our shared commitment to safety,” said Vega.
Wayne Jacinto, MOVE IT general manager, said the motorcycle taxi firm is committed to enhancing safety standards on the platform in close collaboration with Grab.
“As the number of two-wheel drivers on the road grows — whether as private riders or part of the motorcycle taxi community — we remain steadfast in fostering a culture of respect, responsible riding, and safety on all of our roads, for every motorist. This initiative with the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services is a manifestation of this commitment,” he said.
Maria Lourdes Mesa, director for research at the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services, said it is encouraging to see leaders in the ride-hailing industry take proactive steps to ensure that services provided to Filipino commuters prioritize safety.”
“By integrating a behavior-focused approach into the assessment processes, we are proactively addressing the potential for drivers to act contrary to safety standards due to any existing psychological predispositions. We are proud to be pioneering partners with Grab and MOVE IT in this historical milestone – adding a new layer to our safety and security measures for the fast-growing four- and two-wheel ride-hailing industries,” she said.
The first phase of the program, focused on data gathering and research, is underway across various locations in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, engaging a diverse set of driver- and rider-partners from Grab and MOVE IT.