Uber to launch uberCOMMUTE in Manila

Photo credit: uber.com

Uber Philippines announced Wednesday that it is launching its new uberCOMMUTE service in Manila this November. uberCOMMUTE is a revolutionary new platform that allows people who drive themselves to work to share their drive and split the cost of their trip, all while making the most of the cars already on Metro Manila's roads.

In addition to empowering car owners with the unique opportunity to help #SolveTraffic by driving, we’re simultaneously providing more Filipinos with access to affordable and convenient transportation options, in the most efficient and readily-available way possible. By logging onto the Uber platform to offer rides to fellow commuters heading to the same area, driver-commuters split the cost of gas, maintenance, and other fees with the rider-commuters they pick-up, ultimately allowing them to spend less on their daily drives.

Isn't this the real ridesharing service? How will this be different from uberPool or uberHop? It looks like the main difference is that as a driver-commuter, you will not be required to get TNVS accreditation from LTFRB. We'll dig this deeper in the next few days. In the meantime, check below on how to join as a driver-commuter.

HOW TO #SHAREYOURDRIVE

1. Sign up and upload your documents. Register your details and just upload the following 4 documents all online:
   • Driver’s license (professional or non-professional)
   • Vehicle certificate of registration (car must be 2006 or newer)
   • Vehicle official receipt or sales invoice
   • Vehicle proof of insurance
2. Get activated. The Uber team will review your documents and submit your profile for background check. Your account may be activated within 5 working days.
3. #ShareYourDrive. Once you’re activated, just download the Uber Driver App and start sharing your drive!

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM UBERCOMMUTE?

As a driver-commuter, you can expect to save up to ₱10 for every kilometer you travel. Take advantage of Uber’s technology to pick-up rider-commuters en route to or from work, to split the cost of your daily drive.

• We’ll do our best to match you with up to commuters looking for rides along your way
• Navigating is painless – the Uber app provides turn by turn directions
• As a courtesy, you will only have to wait two minutes at any pickup location
• Upon ending your commute, we’ll calculate the cost of gas and tolls and automatically charge your passengers

As a rider-commuter, using uberCOMMUTE can save you up to 30% off the cost of your usual uberX fare. It’s a different riding experience, with drivers-commuters being fellow professionals sharing their drive socially.  Some important reminders:

• You need to enter your  destination because we use it to match you with a driver-commuter heading in the same direction
• You cannot change your pickup location or destination after you request, and each rider can have only one destination
• As a courtesy to the driver-commuter picking you up, your ride will only wait two minutes at your pickup location
• You can bring up to one additional companion (for a maximum of 2 passengers). Multiple stops are not allowed.
• You pay for tolls and your share of gas, making uberCOMMUTE one of our most affordable options yet!

Check here for more details about this new service from Uber.

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Best Mobile Network and Data Promo for Use in Uber Cebu

Best Mobile Network and Data Promo for Use in Uber Cebu

UPDATED (Sep 9, 2016)
 
A lot of partners are asking if which is the best mobile network operator and data promo to be used in Uber Cebu. In this post, i'll share to you what we have used (tried and tested) to give you an idea which network among the three options is better (if not best, if you are still undecided), and/or give you the best mobile data promo available for your network of choice.

Mobile Network Operators in Cebu

There are three mobile network operators in Cebu, Philippines. They are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular (technically two since Smart and Sun are now both under PLDT Group). Based on the recent data from OpenSignal.com, a leading source of insight into the coverage and performance of Mobile Operators worldwide, Globe is ranked #1 in Cebu (but Smart's reliability is slightly higher than Globe). However, we are using both networks and our verdict is that there is no significant difference between the two.

Coverage Heat Map of Mobile Operators in Cebu City
(Credit: OpenSignal.com)

Best Mobile Data Promo Package

Globe Prepaid:

Note: As of September 7, 2016, GOTSCOMBOAHD10 is not anymore working. Use Package 2 (GOTSCOMBODD70) instead, or try the new package 1 below.

Best Promo Package 1: GS99 combined with GOCOMBOIKEA35
Cost: ₱ 134
Validity: 30 days
Data Allocation: 1.2 GB (1228800 KB) valid for 30 days
Call: Unlimited to Globe/TM (valid for 1 day)
Text: 20 Texts to All Networks (valid for 1 day)
Other: 1GB worth of freebie of your choice (facebook, youtube, spotify basic, etc) (valid for 30 days)

How to register:

Step 0: Disable data and load at least P134.

Step 1: Send GS99 to 8080. Wait for the confirmation message.

Step 2: Send GOCOMBOIKEA35 to 8080. You should receive a confirmation message.

NOTE: If you receive a message like "Our system has detected that multiple promo registrations were sent  from your account", wait for at least 20 mins before sending IKEA35 again.

Step 3: Check the status/balance of your registration by sending GOSURF STATUS to 8080 and/or GOSAKTO STATUS to 8080.

To add another 1GB consumable data,  just register GOCOMBOIKEA35 to 8080 again. If done right, you'll get 2.2GB data in 30 days for only P169!

Best Promo Package 2: GOTSCOMBODD70
Cost: ₱ 70
Validity: 7 days
Data Allocation: 1 GB
Other: 1000 texts to Globe/TM  Unli Text to All Networks
How to register: send GOTSCOMBODD70 to 8888

Globe Postpaid:

Best Plan 1: myStarter Plan 300 (with FREE smartphone)
Cost: ₱ 300
Consumable: ₱ 300 per month of prepaid load
Preferred handset: Lenovo A2010 (4G & Dual-SIM)
Cash-out: ₱ 600

Best Plan 2: Plan 1299 (with FREE iPhone 5s)
Cost: ₱ 1299
Inclusive:
Unli Call & Text to Globe/TM: ₱ 499
GoSurf 499 (3GB): ₱ 499
Unli All Net Text: ₱ 299
Consumable: ₱ 2

Smart Prepaid/Bro:

Best Promo Package: Big Bytes 70
Cost: ₱ 70
Validity: 7 days
Data Allocation: 1 GB open access volume and 300 MB of Entertainment Bundle Hero Innovations (iflix, Fox, & Spinnr)
Other: 1000 texts to Smart. TNT and Sun
How to register: send BIG70 to 9999


Smart Postpaid:

Best Plan: All-in Plan 800 (with FREE LTE-capable smartphone)
Big Bytes 299 (1.7 GB of data with FREE 1.1GB for iflix, Spinnr, YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, Dubsmash and Skype Qik, all valid for 30 days): ₱ 299
Unli All Net Text 349: ₱ 349
Consumable: ₱ 152

(We have no experience yet with Sun Cellular. We will update this post as soon as we have data from fellow Uber Cebu partners).

Sun Prepaid:

Best Promo Package: TBD
Cost: TBD
Validity: TBD
Data Allocation: TBD
Other: TBD
How to register: send TBD to TBD

Sun Postpaid:

Best Plan: TBD

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Uber cuts fares by 20% in Cebu

Photo credit: Uber

Since Uber's launch in Cebu last December 2015,  thousands of Cebuanos have made Uber their ride of choice when it comes to getting around Cebu. With Uber, you’re guaranteed a safe and reliable ride anywhere in the city, at the tap of a button. Since Monday, September 5, you can get further for less, with uberX fares 20% more affordable than before. That's another reason to leave your cars at home.

New Fares

So how much is uberX's new fare compared to a regular (white) or airport (yellow) taxi?

Let's start with a sample route from One Oasis Cebu to Mactan Airport. Below is the route I selected, based on the current traffic condition.

Google map says its 12.7 km away and is 26 min without traffic. And these are the assumptions that we'll be using (based on experience):

• Total travel time from One Oasis to Airport is 48 min. 
• It is assumed that the idle time for taxis is 22 mins (48 - 26 = 22).

Let's plug in these numbers on our calculator. Here's the formula:

Base Fare + (Time Rate * Time) + (Distance Rate * Distance) = Total Fare

For regular/white taxi:

30 + (1.75 * 22) + (11.67 * 12.7)  =  ₱216.71

For airport/yellow taxi:

60 + (2 * 22)  + (13.33 * 12.7) =  ₱273.29

For uberX car:

40 + (3 * 48) + (6.90 * 12.7) =  ₱271.63

For uberX new rate (Sep 5, 2016):

30 + (2.4 * 48) + (6.50 * 12.7) =  ₱227.75

Here's a comparison table for everybody's reference:

As you will notice, at moderate traffic, Uber's rate is comparable to regular (white) taxi. If the traffic is good, expect Uber's rate to be a lot cheaper than regular taxi due to it's lower per km rate.

Wait, there's more. Uber is giving away promotional discount to ALL users. Just enter the promo code MASBARATO and you'll get P100 off your next Uber ride! This promo code is valid until September 13, 2016 only.

Disclaimer: The calculation above is based on a specific condition. The result is greatly affected by actual traffic condition. I will try to analyze this in my next post.

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Uber Rolling Out Cash Payment Option to All Cebuano Riders

Photo credit: Uber

After more than half year of experimenting the cash payment in Manila, and another four months in Cebu, Uber is finally rolling out Cash Payment option to ALL Cebuano riders beginning tomorrow, Friday, July 8, 2016.

This is a very good news to riders. I was often asked by some of my riders if when are they getting that option. One use case of the cash option is in getting a ride for someone else (who doesn't have an Uber account of course). No need to worry in collecting cash from them  as they already paid the trip.

This is also a good news to some partners/drivers. For them (and for Uber), opening the cash option means more riders/rides, and more riders/rides, more earning opportunity for drivers.

Not all partners/drivers, however, were happy with this move by Uber. The option for riders to sign up without requiring a valid credit card exposed the safety and security of the drivers. Essentially, Uber can not trace the identity of the rider in case something happen if that rider has no credit card info. Also, if Uber will offer UberHop or UberPool in Cebu, then not only the safety of the drivers will be exposed, but also of the riders using these products.

Riders and fellow partners/drivers, what do you think about this move by Uber?

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How to sign up for an Uber rider account without a credit or debit card

Photo credit: uber.com

Yes, you read it right. You can now sign up for an Uber rider account without a credit or debit card. For now, this is working on android devices only. Signing up for an account through the iOS (iPhone/iPad) app or through a browser still requires credit or debit card registration.

Signing up through the Uber app

1. Download the Uber app to your android phone.

2. Open the app, then select REGISTER.
    (Note: You might need to enable Location Services for a seamless process)

3. Fill-in your name, email, mobile # and password. You can also use your Google or Facebook  account. Click NEXT when done.

4. Click PROMO  CODE, enter "UBERCEBUTIPSUE" or "ubercebutipsue", then click APPLY.

5. Select "Cash" in the payment method. If there is no Cash option, make sure that your phone's Location Services is enabled.

6. Enter the verification code sent to you via SMS. Click RESEND THE TEXT if you did not receive it.

Once the verification is completed, the app will automatically proceed to the home screen. You can now start to request for a car!

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This Week Only: Get 20% off your next 3 trips!

The holidays are over -- time to get back to the grind. As a post-holiday promo, for all of this week only (March 30 - April 3, 2016), get your next 3 trips on Uber at 20% off!

Simply enter the promo code below on your Uber app to enable the discount:

CEBUMARCHRUSH

To enter a promo code:

1. Launch your Uber app
2. Open the in-app drawer and select PROMOTIONS
3. Enter the promo code

*Valid only for trips taken in Cebu*

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Cash Payment Arriving in Cebu Soon!

Photo credit: serdef.org

Uber announced today that CASH PAYMENT will be experimented in Cebu soon to selected riders. For drivers, this will mean more riders, more trips, and more earnings!

In the meantime, partner-drivers are required to take the Uber Cebu Cash Training before March 31, 2016, 11:59PM.

UPDATE (March 23, 2016): It was reported that some Uber riders in Cebu can already opt to pay in cash. 

Read More »

Uber Recorded its First-Ever SURGE in Cebu

Surge Pricing or NO CARS AVAILABLE

Yesterday, Uber announced that it is activating its Surge Pricing feature in Cebu beginning today, March 21, 2016. Check this post for more details about surge pricing.

The first-ever surge in Cebu happened at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport this afternoon at around 2:50 PM, as shown below. Per our monitoring, the surge started at 1.2x and disappeared after few minutes.

There are a number of ways that you can do to avoid paying extra in an event of surge. The first, and probably the most used, is to wait until the surge disappears. You will receive an automatic notification by clicking "NOTIFY ME WHEN SURGE DROPS" button as below.

The other option that you could try is FARE SPLIT. Of course, you need a friend (up to 3) to do this. In a nutshell, the total fare will be divided into 2 (or 4 if you have 3 friends with you) plus an additional P10 for using the fare split feature.
 
Again, Surge Pricing is helpful to balance the supply versus the demand. Without it, there's no way to get an Uber ride when you need it most. Surge Pricing is better than NO CARS AVAILABLE.

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Surge Pricing: Uber's Dynamic Pricing Explained

Surge Pricing: Uber's Dynamic Pricing Explained

Uber will be activating it's surge pricing feature in Cebu beginning Monday, March 21, 2016. For those who aren't familiar with it, don't freak out yet as I will try to explain here everything you need to know about it. But before anything else, it is important to know what does Uber stands for.

Uber is ALWAYS a reliable ride. Being unavaliable, inconvenient is the opposite of Uber. Being Uber means being "Always On" and "Always Convenient".

This is Uber's differentiator from your regular taxi system. And this is the main reason why they do surge pricing.

What is surge pricing and how does it work?

At times of high demand, the number of drivers becomes limited. As a result, prices are increased to encourage more drivers to become available. Raising prices will dramatically increase the number of cars on the road, therefore, more safe and convenient rides will be served.

For example, if there are 300 cars up in a city and 290 of them are either picking up a rider or in a trip, this would be considered an extremely tight supply situation. Higher prices encourages more drivers to come online. The algorithm raise the price in increments over time until demand begins to decrease. When supply is enough, the price will go down.


How do Uber riders know the price?

Whenever there is surge (or surge pricing), you'll see a notification screen (as below) in your app. You'll have to accept these higher rates before you can proceed with your request.

The math is fairly simple. If your 2-km commute to work takes you 7 minutes, a regular-priced Uber ride would cost you around Php 74.80, as below:

UberX rate in Cebu

Base Fare + (Time Rate * Time) + (Distance Rate * Distance) = Total Fare

40 + (3 * 7) + (6.9 * 2) = Total Fare

Total Fare = Php 74.80

However, if there is 2.0x surge, your trip will now cost Php 149.60.

You can also run a fare estimate right within your app to know roughly what your trip will cost before you request it, so there are never any surprises on your receipt.

Please note that depending on supply/demand conditions, you may begin seeing surge pricing take effect in Cebu beginning Monday, March 21, 2016. 

Questions? Send us an email at ubercebutips@gmail.com.

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Forward-Dispatch Requests: A New Feature That Will Allow Drivers To Accept Trip Request While ON TRIP

Forward-Dispatch Requests: A New Feature That Will Allow Drivers To Accept Trip Request While ON TRIP
Photo credit: honolulu.ubermovement.com

Did you notice your Uber phone beeping while still on the way to your rider's destination? That is due to a new feature called Forward-Dispatch Requests. Forward requests will allow you to accept your next trip request while you're still on a trip. This means that you will have less downtime in between trips and be connected with riders closer to your last drop off location. This is a win-win solution for both riders and drivers. Riders will enjoy quicker pickups, and drivers won’t have to drive as long to their pick-ups.

How it works:
1. While on a trip, driver receives a notification  for the next request.

2. After accepting, the screen will go back to the current trip.

3. Complete and rate first trip as normal.

4. The screen will instantly change to en route second trip. Complete and rate second trip as normal.


FAQ:

1. How do I start getting requests before my trip is over?

As long as you or the rider has entered the destination into the Uber app, the system will automatically look for requests near your rider’s dropoff location.

2. Will the next rider know that I’m on my way to them?

Yes. The next rider will see a popup in the rider app stating that the closest vehicle for them is completing another trip nearby, and the system will also show the first drop-off point on the map for clarification.

3. Will acceptance rates be impacted if I don't accept a Forward Request?

Yes. But here's a trick: if you are planning to take a break or already done with your shift/day, just change the last rider's destination after hitting navigate. Right after dropping off  your last passenger, go offline.

4. I have difficulty accepting trips when outside of the Uber Partner app on iOS9.

Change your notification setting. 
- Settings > Notifications > Uber Partner App 

- On the very bottom, switch notification style from "Banner" to "Alert"

- When you receive a request, a notification will pop-up, tap "Options" then select "Accept" to accept the trip request.

 Do you have questions or comments? Post it in the comments section below.

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Uber Cebu is Giving New Users Not One But Two Free Trips Worth P200 Each

Get P200 off your first 2 trips in Cebu with TRYUBERCEBU promo code.
Valid until March 3, 2016 and for new users only.

Folks from Cebu, have you tried using Uber? If not yet, this is the best time as Uber is giving new users (riders) not one but two (2) free trips worth up to P200 each. As long as you have not taken an Uber trip before, you are qualified for this promo. Simply enter and apply TRYUBERCEBU in the promotions (or PROMO CODE) tab before booking your first ride.

You will receive a pop up message saying that the promo code was successfully applied. Alternatively, you should see "2 Free Rides"  in the PAYMENT tab.

Getting an Uber ride in Cebu is faster than before as more cars are on the road now. It is estimated that there are more than 60 active units already.

If you are having problems getting a car in your area, let us know by posting a comment here, together with the address and time of the request. Drivers will know that there is a request coming from that area, so you'll have greater chance of getting a ride next time.

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UBER CEBU UPDATE: New Partner Applications Resume -- Submit Your TNVS (PA) Requirements NOW!

Photo credit: Uber

At last, LTFRB resumed the acceptance and processing of TNVS applications. This is a very good news, not only to those partners who are waiting for their unit/s to become active, but also to the riders who are having hard time getting a ride during peak hours.

Here's the official e-mail from Uber last night to aspiring Uber Cebu partners:


THE WAIT IS OVER!

Great news for incoming Uber partners! The LTFRB has finally agreed to resume acceptance and processing of the TNVS applications. THANK YOU  for all your patience!

There is no better time to complete your application than NOW! If you haven't yet, upload your driver and vehicle documents to your partner dashboard (partners.uber.com) and submit your TNVS (PA) application as soon as possible to get onboarded and activated as soon as possible!





Or click on the following link: t.uber.com/tnvspasubmitcebu

Partner Information Seminars have also resumed so please continue to check your inboxes for any updates. You may also check for any schedule updates by visiting:

http://driveonuber.com/

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RIDER MUSIC: Play Your Own Music In Your Driver's Car

Rider Music: Play Your Own Music In Your Driver's Car

Did you know that you can play your own music in your driver's car during an Uber ride? Thanks to the feature called Rider Music. It allows riders to choose their own music to play through the Uber car's speakers during their trip.

Playing music in your driver's car is easy. Here's how to do it for iPhone users:

1. Request a ride as usual. If you get matched with a music-enabled Uber, the music bar will appear at the bottom of the Uber app.
2. Tap the music bar and choose a song from any of your Spotify playlists while you wait for your Uber to arrive.
3. Your playlist will start when your ride begins.

On Android?  The Uber in-app music experience is coming soon, but you can still control your music through the Spotify app. After connecting your Spotify Premium account to Uber, tap the music bar to jump over to Spotify. Once your ride starts, tap the Now Playing bar in Spotify. Then tap the Connect icon  and select “Uber Partner”. The music you choose will play through your car’s speakers.

 Other useful Uber features  that you should also try:

1. FARE SPLIT: Split The Cost Of A Ride With A Friend
2. FARE ESTIMATE or FARE QUOTE
3. SEND STATUS or SEND STATUS TO CONTACTS

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FARE SPLIT: A Must-Try Uber Cebu Feature This 2016

FARE SPLIT: Forget freeloaders, IOUs, and separate cash transfers with Uber's Split Fare

So you are an Uberite and wondering how you can maximize your Uber's use in Cebu? Or a tech savvy who wants to try Uber? Or even just a regular commuter who is totally new to taxi-booking or ride-sharing apps? Whether you're a first time Uber user or already an Uber fan from other cities, this post will hopefully help you.

FARE SPLIT

Fare Split or Split Fare allows you to seamlessly split the cost of a ride with a friend or officemate going to the same destination. Forget freeloaders, IOUs, and separate cash transfers with Uber's Split Fare.

How to use split fare

1. Request for a ride as normal
2. After a driver has been assigned to you, tap on  the Trip Menu at the bottom of the screen (or slide the screen from the driver details upward).
3. Tap on the FARE SPLIT option at the bottom of the scren
4. Invite your friends by typing in their mobile number
5. Ask your friends to ACCEPT when they receive a message from Uber

Note: Each rider will be charged a PHP 10.00 fare split fee.

Other useful Uber features  that you should also try:

1. RIDER MUSIC: Play Your Own Music In Your Driver's Car
2. FARE ESTIMATE or FARE QUOTE
3. SEND STATUS or SEND STATUS TO CONTACTS

Read More »

How to Get an Uber Car When There Are NO CARS AVAILABLE at Your Desired Pickup Location

How to Get an Uber Car When There Are NO CARS AVAILABLE at Your Desired Pickup Location

Cebuanos are starting to patronize Uber's offering in Cebu, the uberX. With the limited number of Uber cars on the road due to the TRO on applications, coupled with increasing demand, getting an Uber ride can sometimes be frustrating. I'd like to share to you a simple trick that you can try to get a ride.

Simple Trick in Getting a Ride When There Are NO CARS AVAILABLE at Your Pickup Location

1. Move around the area until you see an available car.
2. When you see an available car, drop the pin in between your desired pickup location and the closest available car.
3. Confirm the request.
4. Call the driver as soon as he accepts the request to tell him your TRUE pickup location.  If the TRUE pickup point is too far from the dummy pickup location, you can offer to the driver that you're willing to pay him extra, say ₱50, to cover the extra expense, or if you really want cashless transaction, ask him to  START THE TRIP at the dummy pickup location.
5. If you already agreed, put your actual pick up location in the 'destination' field. This will be your first destination. As soon as you are in the car, update your destination to your actual destination.

Good luck! Let us know if this worked for you by commenting below.

Another helpful tip for riders: Drop your pin as close to the nearest street as possible, not on the building or establishment. It will be easier for your driver to find you.

Read More »

UberX's Cost in Cebu Compared to Regular or Airport Taxi

UberX Cebu Pricing

How much does an uberX ride costs compared to a regular (white) or airport (yellow) taxi?

This is the most frequently asked question from the riding public. In this blogpost I will compare the cost of a ride using a regular (white) taxi, an airport (yellow) taxi and an uberX car.

Let's start with a sample route from One Oasis Cebu to Mactan Airport. Below is the route I selected, based on the current traffic condition.

Google map says its 12.7 km away and is 26 min without traffic. And these are the assumptions that we'll be using (based on experience):

• Total travel time from One Oasis to Airport is 48 min. 
• It is assumed that the idle time for taxis is 22 mins (48 - 26 = 22).

Let's plug in these numbers on our calculator. Here's the formula:

Base Fare + (Time Rate * Time) + (Distance Rate * Distance) = Total Fare

For regular/white taxi:

30 + (1.75 * 22) + (11.67 * 12.7)  =  ₱216.71

For airport/yellow taxi:

60 + (2 * 22)  + (13.33 * 12.7) =  ₱273.29

For uberX car:

40 + (3 * 48) + (6.90 * 12.7) =  ₱271.63

Here's a comparison table for everybody's reference:

Wait, there's more. Uber is giving away promotional discounts/codes often. As an example, if you use the promo code HELLOCEBU from December 3 to December 9, you'll get 20% off your total fare. That's equivalent to ₱54.33 discount, or only ₱217.30 fare from One Oasis to the airport. That's only 59 cents more expensive than regular taxi!

Disclaimer: The calculation above is based on a specific condition. The result is greatly affected by actual traffic condition. I will try to analyze this in my next post.

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How to Request for an Uber Ride

Photo credit: finance.yahoo.com

Here's the step by step process in getting a ride from Uber. This assumes that you already have an Uber account. If don't have an account yet, check How to signup as a Rider?
Note: screenshots are taken from an iPhone device, android screenshots may vary.

Step 1: SET PICKUP LOCATION

This is where you will be directed after you sign in. Drag and drop the pin to the location where you want to be picked up. Click anywhere in the SET PICKUP LOCATION box to accept.

Step 2: CONFIRMATION

Confirm that the pick up address is correct as shown beside the green dot. You might also want to enter your destination, but it is not required.

Step 3: ENTER PROMO CODE

Select the PROMO CODE box to enter a promo code. Click APPLY after the promo code is entered.

You will get a confirmation similar to the left image if a promo code was successfully applied. If a promo code has already been applied, you'll get the image on the right. Otherwise, the promo code is invalid.

Step 4: Click "REQUEST uberX"

That's it. You can now relax while the Uber system is finding the closest available driver to pick you up.

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Uber Soft Launched in Cebu Today, December 3

Uber Soft Launched in Cebu Today: uberX cars close to Ayala/Cebu IT Park

Uber soft launched in Cebu today! Get your FREE ride while it’s hot!

The entire press release can be found here: Cebu, Your uberX is Arriving Now at 20% Off!

There are still limited cars on the road (less than 20), so getting a ride could take longer, especially during peak hours. Uber will be adding more cars as soon as it gets accreditation from LTFRB. If you are attending a party this December, try getting an Uber ride. It's safe, convenient, reliable and, last but not the least: STYLISH.

UPDATE (December 6, 2015):  The limited number of Uber cars on the road will continue until LTFRB resumes the processing of the applications of 50 Uber units which were put on hold while the 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against ride-sharing services is in effect.

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Uber Will Soft Launch in Cebu on December 2, 2015

Photo credit: http://forum.philboxing.com/

On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, Uber is set to soft launch in Metro Cebu, making it the 2nd city for Uber Philippines. Uber is a smartphone application that allows riders with smartphones to book a trip request which is then routed to the closest available Uber partner/driver. Uber is operating in 357 cities in 67 countries in 6 continents all around the world.

There will be limited vehicles on the road for a little while - but don't worry, Uber Cebu Team is working hard each day to get more cars on the road.

Here’s how to snatch yourself a safe, stylish, reliable ride with Uber:

1. Register an account here.
2. Download the Uber app on your smartphone via the App Store on iOs, Android, & BB phones.
3. Select your pickup location in the Uber app and your private chauffeur will arrive within minutes.
4. Uber is cashless and convenient. Once you arrive at your destination, your fare is automatically charged to your credit card (or debit card) on file and Uber will also e-mail you a receipt.
5. Use promo code “ubercebu” when you sign up and get a FREE first ride up to ₱200.

UPDATE (December 1, 2015): Due to delayed release of Provisional Authority (PA) from LTFRB, Uber's soft launch will be postponed until further notice. Without the PA, Uber vehicles can not operate as it will be a colorum.

2nd UPDATE (December 2, 2015): Finally, Uber Cebu will soft launch tomorrow, December 3, 2015. Book a ride starting 8 o'clock in the morning! 

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Uber Cebu will be launching next week

UBER CEBU ANNOUNCEMENT: We will be launching as early as NEXT WEEK! If you haven't attended yet, or if you have questions on documents or the signup process, please feel free to attend today's info session from 1-3pm. 6/F 2Quad Bldg., Cebu Business Center.

This was the exact message delivered to Uber Cebu partners today via SMS. Just three weeks ago, the first Information Seminar was conducted by Uber in Cebu. It attracted a couple of hundred aspiring partners in the first week. The offer was so exciting as they have a special incentive to those who completed the initial requirements by November 6, which was later on extended to November 13.

Though the special incentive is gone, the driver referral incentive, which amounts to ₱2,000 per successful referral, was officially announced today. Please note that the referral reward will be earned after the referral completes his/her first 10 trips. So guys, sign up NOW using this link for you to qualify for the reward and be included in the next batch of submissions to LTFRB. You will not be allowed to take your first trip until you have your PA from LTFRB. For detailed steps on partner-driver sign up process, please check my previous post How to sign up as a Partner-Driver?

The Uber product that will be launched in Cebu is UberX only. In Manila, riders can choose between the low cost UberX or the original, more expensive UberBlack. But riders don't need to worry, as SUVs and full-size sedans are also accepted by Uber Cebu. This means that you'll get a chance to ride a Toyota Fortuner at the price of a regular taxi! For detailed steps on rider sign up process, please check my previous post How to sign up as a Rider?

Excited already? Let's have some fun: Guess the launching date/day and you'll get a surprise gift from us. Post your answer in the comments section below. Of course, the first correct answer will be the winner.

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