Be kind to Grab drivers

Returning from a trip to Cebu, I opted to try out a Grab Car instead of the airport coop AUV that I always take and that’s when I learned that they now have an “airport dedicated” fleet of cars. The cost was almost the same but the car, or in my case an Avanza, was quite new compared to aged and often hard riding coop AUVs.

As we set off for home, I noticed that the driver was monitoring some sort of frequency shared by other drivers. As I eavesdropped, I heard a series of lamentations from drivers on EDSA who generally shared that it takes one hour from the NAIA to get to the Ortigas commercial district. Others who were on their return trip to the airport were complaining about traffic from the Kalayaan bridge all the way to EDSA. One thing they all complained about is that MMDA presence and action was neither seen nor heard. “Nasaan na sila” was a common holler.

This had apparently been going on for several days and Grab drivers are so affected that a number of them have opted to stop ferrying passengers before the rush hour traffic. The only consolation commuters have is that there is an abundance of Grab drivers, not to mention all the motorcycle taxis in the thousands.

Eventually, we also clocked a one-hour trip from the NAIA to Shaw Boulevard. That was last Thursday afternoon. When my driver learned that I was taking Grab to Quezon City last Friday the 13th, he warned me to be careful. I thought he was being superstitious but as it turned out, he recently had bad experiences during Friday paydays and with the Christmas parties all over town, he said I might be in for a test of nerves or patience!

When Friday came, I easily booked my ride at 10 and reached my destination on Quezon Boulevard by 10:30. Emboldened by my good fortune and smooth ride, I decided to stay for lunch and left by 1 p.m. Then the bad omens began. First, I could not connect with GRAB due to poor connectivity. Then they messaged having technical challenge.

I walked towards an area where I might have better chances of getting a taxi instead. After walking a block via those elevated foot bridges, Grab comes back online and after 10 minutes more I finally had my ride. Little did I know that the ride from National Bookstore on Quezon Boulevard to Kapitolyo, Pasig would take two hours, passing through all the Mabuhay lanes and byways.

After two hours in traffic, I decided to give the driver a Christmas present and not just a tip because he already decided to go home early (and another two-hour drive in traffic) and just play with his nine-year-old son and four-year-old daughter who bullies her kuya. Yes, there are some good things that come out of a two-hour ride. In fact I had a power nap as well.

More than telling you how I spent two hours in traffic, allow me to share the learnings I got from actual owner-drivers of Grab cars. During the holidays we the passengers should always bear in mind or remind ourselves that while we are hoping to book a ride as soon as possible, the drivers are also trying to get to us as quickly as possible because the more rides they get, the more income they make.

Without knowing it, every time we impatiently cancel a booking, we are actually taking away income and causing the driver to lose money in terms of time, effort and fuel spent trying to get to you. You’re welcome to cancel a funeral car pick-up any time, but would you cancel an ambulance or fire truck responding to your urgent message? I don’t think so. I also don’t think you would dare to face the driver whom you just denied of earning a living to feed his family or make down payments on the vehicle you cancelled.

Yes, I have been a victim of a couple of the slowest pick-ups from Grab only to realize that there was an accident on the road, or like last Thursday and Friday, “sh*t happens.” Another lament, which I’ve written about, are passengers not being ready to ride when the pick-up is there. Some passengers actually book too early, even before they come down from a condo or a high-rise office building.

What seems like a good strategy for you is the equivalent of “loss of man hours” on the job. If you came late for work, you would be clocked and deducted! If you showed up late for an appointment or a date, your reputation would surely be affected. Shouldn’t we be even more conscious and considerate if our lateness or selfishness robs people of revenue?

After years of lamenting about dirty, beat up old taxis or unshaven or rude drivers, we now have “new” vehicles that are available online. I don’t have to take taxis or tricycles all the time, the latter being more expensive per kilometer. I certainly appreciate not having to hire a personal or family driver who would cost me anywhere from P25,000 to P30,000 a month all in!

With Grab car I don’t have to drive, rage or cuss at idiots on the road and hit a Kamote rider who cuts in and just waves his hand in false apology! I also have to mention that with every Grab ride, I meet someone new. Someone starting a new family, a lolo or lola who just enjoys being productive, an aspiring “businessman” or a storyteller. So be nice, because Santa’s coming to town!

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