An all Filipino transport network company (TNC) is joining the market and is aiming to eventually become the Philippine’s number one TNC, and further into the future, even go international.
Unified Transport Operations League or UTOL, last Tuesday, April 30, officially introduced itself to the Philippine media with a slightly better value proposition to prospective private vehicle operators/drivers by addressing their unmet needs that is now threatening to disrupt the operations of existing TNCs and the provisional Transport Network Vehicle Service or TNVS.
UTOL chairman of the board Roland Maningas, along with his wife Rosalie del Rosario-Maningas, and general manager and head of UTOL’s legal department lawyer Orly Ocampo led the unveiling of the UTOL app at the Champagne Salon of the Manila Hotel in a Filipiniana-themed presentation, complete with all the officials garbed in Barong for the men and the formal Terno for the women, with entertainment by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group performing and providing a fiesta atmosphere for the UTOL event.
According to Mr. Maningas, UTOL intends to provide better services to the riding public and partner drivers/operators by offering support and assistance in terms of maintenance, cleaning services and even insurance for the accredited vehicles.
Another important proposition of UTOL, Mr. Maningas announced, is a training program for accredited drivers/operators which would professionalize the behavior of the drivers and ensure that quality standards are met, thus differentiating the new TNC from its competitors.
Proper training of drivers would likewise offer a smooth and safe experience for customers.
Likewise, UTOL is also in talks with automotive dealers to form partnerships and become accredited vehicle suppliers for their partner drivers/operators, thus, helping provide financing for the acquisition of vehicles.
“We will focus on supporting our vehicle drivers,” Mr. Maningas said, pointing out that “this is one of the aspects of the industry that is not being focused upon by other TNCs.”
He elaborated that “if our drivers need immediate access to UTOL due to emergencies for any reason, we have a team ready to respond to their request.”
Existing transportation business
The Maningas are actually not new in the transportation business. In fact, they already have an existing transportation company engaged in the rental car and tourist bus business.
As such, Mr. Maningas assured the public, “we are keenly aware of the needs of drivers/operators when they are on the road. With UTOL, we plan to expand and improve the services we currently offer to our own fleet.”
Furthermore, he said, “we want to build a fruitful relationship between UTOL and the drivers/operators as partners in building a better future.”
The acronym UTOL, in fact, he revealed, is intended to highlight the new TNC as “an extension of family.”
Filipino-developed app
The UTOL app, which was developed by an all-Filipino team of information technology experts, is already available on Google, but is only compatible for now, with Android devices. They are still working out details for access to Apple or iPhone users.
A separate grand launch for the UTOL app is scheduled on May 8.
One unique feature of the UTOL app is a “help” button for both the drivers and passengers. The help button allows either the driver or passenger to seek the attention of an UTOL representative to call to address the concern of the driver or passenger, whether the driver is being robbed or the passenger feels uncomfortable with the driver.
As of the press launch, UTOL officials said that around 500 drivers/operators have already signed up for accreditation. They also clarified that they have no restriction against drivers/operators who may already be affiliated with other TNC or TNVS.
UTOL, however, Mr. Maningas said, is mainly for four-wheeled vehicles at the moment and is still studying whether it will offer motorcycle services under the still-provisional TNVS. If it eventually does offer motorcycle services, he said, it would likely be limited to deliveries.
UTOL is initially rolling out in Metro Manila, after which it will then expand to other cities and provinces, providing of course that there is demand for their services.
UTOL GM Orly Ocampo pointed out there are only a few TNCs...”so right now, demand outstrips supply especially during public holidays and special occasions.”
Even as the latest TNC enters the market, there is already some brewing unrest in at least one TNVS player whose drivers are now seeking some form of employer-driver review even though they are operating under a different system.