After they fail to operate last February 17, the alternative hailing motorcycle taxi called Backride Palawan officially announced that they will finally start operating in Puerto Princesa on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Backride Founder Vergel Dela Fuerta said it took them almost a month to comply with the many requirements and application process thru Google Play Store. And just last March 7 they received approval of their apps at the said online apps store. The necessary requirements from the City were also just completed and right now they are still accepting riders or driver’s applicants to add to the hundreds who have applied and were accepted.
“Parehas lang naman sa Angkas ang nakuha naming approval kasi may Attoryney din naman kami. Yung Angkas nag-o-operate, lahat nung tulad na approval na hiningi ng Angkas ay kinuha din namin, plus nag-comply din kami para sa mga kailangan na maging safe yung commuter at rider namin, at nakuha na rin namin ang approval ng City, good to go na kami, pinayagan na kami mag operate,” Dela Fuerta said.
The rates according to Dela Fuerta will be calculated via apps that can be installed on android or i0S smart phone. There will be no surcharge during peak hours. They will be operating from 6 in the morning to 12 midnight daily on cash basis only while online payment system will follow.
“Ang flat rate natin ay P30 up to 2 kilometers, tapos ang exceeding kilometers ay P5 lang, kayang kaya sya ng mga estudyante,” Dela Fuerta added.
The operations of Backride Palawan in Puerto Princesa will cover the whole City proper. It will end at Brgy. Irawan in the south road, and Vietville in Brgy. Sta. Lourdes is the landmark end for the northern portion. It will be the driver’s or the rider’s discretion if they will allow passengers with baggage that will depend on its weight and size.
“Ang number 1 sa amin ay safety, hindi naman lahat ng klase ng commuter ay ma-accommodate, yung sa amin lang ay yung kayang-kaya lang isakay ng rider, iwas din tayo sa disgrasya, kaya yung sinasabi nila may dalang anak, may dalang isang sakong bigas, kung mga hand carry yun walang problema, kumbaga normal travel lang na kaya i-accommodate ng driver, yung driver pa rin ang mag-judge, pero i-orient namin sila na yung judgement nila may limit yun kung hanggang saan lang yung puede nila isakay,” Dela Fuerta explain.
But the main advocacy according to Dela Fuerta is to help all the tricycle drivers and resume their livelihood in public transportation.
They already sent invitations to different TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) to join them by making their tricycle a single l-type motor vehicle so they can roam around the City major roads.
“Almost lahat ng TODA ini-invite talaga namin, main goal talaga namin ay makatulong sa mga tricycle drivers, since motor ang gamit nila, safe din naman ang height ng motor nila, plus may franchise din yun, sila yung main objective namin na makuha, sana yung mga invitation namin sa kanila mapansin nila,” Dela Fuerta added.
Dela Fuerta explained they are using a God’s Eye technology in monitoring all users and riders that will use their apps.
They are not charging any fee for riders and passengers who want to join and use the app at their own convenient time. After three months’ operation Backride Palawan wants to add food delivery service and car rentals option.