Taxi operators in Manila, you better buckle up. Uber is serious in giving you a run for your money.
Uber today announced that it’s expanding its cash payments trial to Manila. This makes the Philippines the fifth country globally and the second in Southeast Asia, where Uber is conducting the experiment.
Uber has been well known for its seamless payment system that requires users to pay via credit card. But this has limited its reach: less than 5 percent of Filipinos own credit cards. Now the company is accepting cash to reach new customers.
“Having the option of paying with cash is really important for people in Metro Manila so this is an exciting experiment for us. We want everyone to enjoy the hassle-free convenience of ordering a safe ride at the push of a button,” says Laurence Cua, Uber’s general manager in the Philippines.
Cua adds, “the tests we’ve done in India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam have been hugely successful. This cash experiment in the Philippines will give us more great insights and help us develop our technology to best meet the needs of Filipino riders.”
Riders simply choose the cash payment option on the Uber app, take a ride, and pay their driver directly at the end of the trip.
Not all riders will see this option right away, though, as Uber is still testing it. It will roll out gradually to all riders over the next few weeks.
Do you agree with Uber’s move? Are you excited about it? Chime in below.
Editing by J.T. Quigley
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