Ride-hailing company Grab Philippines has launched a new transport solution in Metro Manila called Sabay Sakay, emulating the point-to-point system of premium buses and shuttle vans. It partners with the Department of Transportation for commuters in the Pasig-Makati corridor. The service starts with a flat fare of P80 and operates during peak hours.
In an advisory, Grab announced it is testing Sabay Sakay as a carpool solution for commuters in Metro Manila, in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The initial rollout targets the Pasig-Makati corridor, one of the busiest during rush hour.
Sabay Sakay operates like a premium bus or UV Express, transporting passengers on a point-to-point basis. For the Pasig-Makati service, it stops at only two points: Ayala Malls The 30th in Meralco Avenue and Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.
In the morning, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the service picks up passengers at Ayala Malls The 30th and drops them off at Ayala Triangle. In the evening, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., it runs in the reverse direction.
Passengers pay a flat fare of P80, similar to other P2P services. Based on Grab’s guidelines, passengers must head to the pickup point during the designated time periods. Grab has deployed attendants at the pickup point to verify if the destination matches the drop-off area, and if it does, passengers can scan a QR code to pay their fare cashless.
Grab committed that Sabay Sakay cars depart the pickup point at least every 10 minutes. The company is confident the solution would contribute to traffic decongestion by moving more people with fewer cars.
In another development, Grab Philippines managing director Ronald Roda confirmed that the company is expanding its fleet at the Clark International Airport.