Beep Cards Arrive at MRT, and Beyond

The ‘beep’ cards finally arrived at the MRT stations this week. As early as Jan2013, there were already plans to replace the ticketing system for our trains and increase the number of trains. Just like a classic MRT ride, it took us some time to get there. At least it’s now here.

The beep cards may be used in MRT along EDSA, as well as LRT1 along Taft Ave and LRT2 along Aurora Blvd. Now our ticketing system has been unified so to speak.

It is also expected that these tickets (and their turnstiles) will yield to faster entrance and exit to and from the stations as they are just ‘tap-and-go cards’ whereas the previous system, the insertable magnetic tickets were prone to errors and bogging down allegedly due to card slot jamming and data error due to scratching. I hope this really proves to be a faster alternative.

Nonetheless, the efforts on improving our rail system should not stop with the better ticketing system since the benefits of the beep card may still be nullified by very long lines, stop entry, lack of trains and long waiting time.

I do complain but I don’t like to complain that much since it’s bad for the heart. As expected, many were not satisfied with the new ticketing system as they feel that there are bigger problems to be solved. Well the new trains are supposed to arrive by next year, so for now, I enjoin you to appreciate the small steps, the small victories.

The beep cards may be used and reloaded in the 3 train systems. Hopefully, someday the same concept shall be integrated with our bus system (wish upon a star) similar to that in Hong Kong and Singapore (called Octopus card  and EZ Link respectively). The BGC Bus (obviously in BGC) have their own tap cards for the buses called TapBGC. I hope someday we can just integrate the two into one card and usable for all the buses in the country.

Or maybe for toll payments as well in out various expressways, anyway the ones up north are also owned by the MVP group.

In fact, in aforementioned countries, such cards may also be reloaded or used for purchase in convenience stores. I hope to see the same here in our country. More uses of the card and more reloading stations to lessen the queues in the stations.

Awarded to the MVP and Ayala consortium via PPP, it is not far off (I hope) that one day, such beep cards may also be reloaded via our telco (Smart, Sun and Globe), and maybe banks too since these business giants also have interests in other industries. Power of synergy.

One card for many uses, like a combined Advantage card useful for gasoline purchase, fastfood and convenience stores purchases etc. In what we’re seeing now, various establishments have their own cards offering their own tap-and-go plus rewards system.

But we can’t have tens of cards in our wallets just for these. Too much hassle. I hope the beep card can be a unifying card to serve many purposes and perks outside of train rides, just like how MVP and Ayalas united to bid for this PPP project.

In spite of this development, there will still be some of our countrymen who will need to purchase single journey tickets every time, not because they want to be inconvenienced all the time, but because that’s all they can afford, or that they were used to the sachet economy mindset. But I’m hoping to see less of those folks.

Maybe beep cards should be sold at a discount to the lower economic classes, anyway the card just costs PHP20, so that they can just keep on reloading the beep cards instead of buying single journey tickets all the time.

U-HOP: Philippines’ first app-based shuttle service

Guest Post

Because of the worsened traffic situation in Metro Manila, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pegged our productivity loss to P2.6 billion every day. Furthermore, JICA said that if we do nothing by 2030, that amount would reach P6 billion a day.

That’s why we need transport solutions.

First there were the app-based car services. The original concept was brilliant; individual car owners would give a ride to those plying the same routes as theirs for a fee. Simply put, it is taking the idea of carpooling and incentivizing it for charging for fare. The result? We get less cars on the road.

But then this concept became an enterprising model. Individual car owners were no longer giving lifts to people, they were operating their cars as cabs, and down the road, they began purchasing fleets. The result? Now we have even more cars on the road.

Experts have said it over and over again, the only solution to this behemoth of a traffic problem is mass transport. But while we wait for the infrastructures and facilities for that, we offer an alternative. An app-based mass transport system we call U-HOP.

Think of the UV express at the terminals near your homes and offices. They are convenient because it is mass transport and it is cheap. Now take that service and make it app-based, you no longer have to wait for long lines.

Here’s how it works: you sign up for the service. You have an option to pay for  daily round trips for a week or for a month, or you can pay for unlimited rides for a week or for a month.

You pay for these services using a card that you load up as how you would load up your cellphone. Using the app, you choose your preferred pickup time, place and destination. The app will sort out who among its users will be in the same vehicle and will generate a route so users can be picked up from where they are.

The shuttle will send you a message three times to notify you of its distance to your pickup spot. If you’re late, the shuttle will not wait for you. But U-Hop allows you to rebook the next ride. You are entitled to one (1) free rebooking for a week. If you have bought the monthly service, you are entitled to five (5) rebooking for that month.

Adding to the convenience of an app-based service, the U-Hop Shuttle System has in place a verification process to ensure safety. We screen our partner drivers strictly and through the app, we also verify our passengers.

Because it is a shuttle system, there are pickup times you will have to choose from. But if you prefer the ‘taxi way,’ meaning you have a specific time away from the options, we offer an “On-Demand” service. This is more expensive than the shuttle service, but it is still less expensive than its car services counterparts because we assure no surges in fares. It follows a uniform base fare (P40 for cars and P100 for vans) and a P5.70/km fare flow.

Staying true to our goal of lessening cars on the road and maximizing the concept of car-pooling, we encourage everyone who will opt for the “On-Demand” service to gather a group before booking. You and your neighbors who work in the same area can book one car.

U-Hop is an all-Filipino company ran by people who have over 20 years experience in transportation, business and information technology. They have studied the Philippine market and they are convinced that an app-based mass transport system will help alleviate our traffic problems. Being an all-Filipino company benefits the passengers because we offer cheaper services than foreign companies.

We have had this idea for a while but we wanted to follow the law.  On May 2015, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) created the Transport Network Company (TNC) to accommodate app-based services. We have applied for the TNC status and awaiting approval before we can finally roll out our service.

As of August 2015, we have received 900 applicants for operators and 304,000 for members. We have set up four (4) offices in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

To make sure there is no excess in cars, we do not accept new operators if there are no increase in members. We want to make sure there is a balanced supply and demand.

We are targeting setting up operations in more regions in the Philippines, and in the future, expanding to Southeast Asia and the USA.

We at U-Hop also envision a colorum-free road. We encourage colorum operators to instead register with us. We offer a guaranteed minimum payment stipulated in contract. We have fuel and cash incentives and we have a command center that will offer medical, road, fire and police assistance to operators and members.

We are businessmen but we also believe that transportation is a public service. We prioritize service over profit and we take into consideration the bigger picture. We want convenience to our passengers, we want to include the lower and middle class through our cheap service but most importantly, we have a vision: we want less cars on the road.

Below are the services you may choose from, and its prices:

  

Members can avail the following Services:

Round Trip – P693.00 Weekly

Round Trip – P2,970.00 Monthly

Unli Ride – P1,400 Weekly

Unli Ride – P6,000 Monthly

And choose the following service areas:

Metro Manila

Bulacan

Rizal

Laguna

Metro Cebu

More service areas to open every month!

 

Company Profile

 

We are a group of professionals with more than 20 years experience in transportation, business and information technology. We have been researching about a transport solution since 2001 and we have studied the Philippine market thoroughly to bring you a service that’s affordable, efficient and visionary.

 

We are all Filipinos. This is an all-Filipino corporation that strives to do public good by means of transportation.

 

U-Hop is a pilot project of Shangrilacars, and we’re bringing in our expertise and love for cars to help improve the way Filipinos commute.

 

We care about your convenience and we care about your safety.

 

Our team of IT professionals have spent years developing an android and IOS-based app system that is strategically linked to our command center to bring you the most efficient online transport system there is.

 

Our app is also able to monitor the computer box of each of our vehicles so we can check fuel, door lock, location and speed. If our vehicles are stolen, we can control the computer box to stop the vehicles’ functions.

 

We have partnered with over 39 banks to make it easy for you to pay for our services.

 

Our other providers are of no other: Smart Card IT Solutions Singapore and All Cards for our cards, Arum Pay for payment and business processing, Petron for fuel and roadside assistance, Highway Assistance Patrol for roadside assistance, Globe and Avaya for communications, HP for data center and Skycable for video solutions.

Business Idea to Explore: UBER

I know it might be a little too late. I hope not.

The most discussed article on this site (as of this writing) is about How to Operate a Taxi Cab Business in the Philippines, so I presume most of our readers want a crack at the transportation business.

Admittedly, entry cost is quite pricey given the various steps needed, especially in securing a taxi franchise. And with more and more ride-sharing apps sprouting everywhere, the taxi business is getting more and more competition but it is not evolving in step with technology so to speak.

So it made me ask, why not Uber instead? 

Uber, according to those who have tried it (including me), is:

• more convenient (assuming you know how to use the app),
• safe (it is a cashless transaction, one uses a credit card to pay, it can be tracked using GPS),
• vehicles are much newer (2007 or newer), and
• the cost of riding is not that far off compared to taxi cabs (especially for shorter rides).

These are technically private cars that owners share with the public for a fee. Disclaimer, I haven’t attended the seminars yet, but personally, the biggest come on for would-be Uber Partner/Drivers like me is its ease of membership. Yes, there is still a need to get an LTFRB accreditation but offhand, it seems much easier and less costly compared to securing a taxi franchise.

How to be a driver-partner? From a website, here are the major steps:

1. Create a profile with Uber (Online)
2. Register Banking Details
3. Enroll Driver and Vehicle Details
4. Attend Orientation and Seminar
5. Uber Device Releasing
6. LTFRB Accreditation
7. Drive and Earn

Recall that LTFRB previously tried to regulate Uber? Well now LTFRB and Uber are in good terms (so far), and again as far as I know, a franchise is not required. Not yet at least.

Here are some sites I’m exploring right now to get a better idea on how to join and get started:

Make Good Money with Flexible Hours. Drive When You Want With Uber. Start Now.

• Uber – Manila
• Uber MNL Tips

Some colleagues are also considering the Uber business but not in Manila, but in other developing cities like Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, etc. I guess it’s less congested in these areas compared to Manila.

What’s making me curious though is how the revenue sharing will be between the driver and Uber. Plus the other charges due to “partnership”. You see that’s where we will know if the Uber business is a viable business. That’s where we can create some cost-profitability analysis before joining this upcoming bandwagon. I guess we’ll find out during the Orientation and Seminar.

PS. Before Toyota Vios is labelled as a taxi car. Now I’m seeing lots of Uber cars using the Toyota Vios too. Not the white one though!

PSS. Want an idea where to get a car? Check out the banks’ repossessed cars. There are lots of 2007 or newer cars for sale at cheaper prices.

Surprise! MRT Fare Hike for 2015

Are you ready for it? Are we?

A few days ago, as everyone was busy with the Christmas rush, MRT announced that it shall be implementing a fare hike effective January 2015.

The MRT has been trying to implement a fare hike many years back to cut down costs on government subsidies. Basically to raise more revenues, which shall be used to finance its obviously long delayed improvement and rehabilitation.

We all know that the train system is in dire need of rehabilitation and maintenance as seen in the weekly news of break downs, minor repairs, and worse freak accidents. Likewise, it has been operating way beyond its intended capacity as manifested by long queueing times as well as delayed and jampacked trains.

There’s a push and pull between government agencies and the commuting public as to when to implement a fare hike. But eventually, someone’s got to give in. Or better yet a compromise.

The government argues that it needs the extra funds to be able to improve the system further. Likewise, some new trains are expected to arrive at various parts of 2015 to supposedly improve the service. The public meanwhile is not too keen on a fare hike as they want to see the improvements first before paying for it. So who shall win?

Below is the new fare matrix posted in Cubao station which shall take effect on January 2015.

Compared to existing fares now, where the minimum is PHP10 while the maximum is PHP14, the revised matrix shows fares have significantly increased with the minimum now at PHP13 while the maximum is as high as PHP28. Almost double!

At first glance I was surprised to see the new fare matrix. Personally, I am am open to an increase in the MRT fares as it is still a faster commute compared to buses charging PHP11 to PHP22. But I did not expect a very high revised fare. Was hoping for some amount in between.

Higher fares will likewise decongest the trains a bit but people may just flock to EDSA to ride buses instead and bottomline is, the public still suffers.

How about you? Are you ready for it?

I see a long push and pull once again as groups will try to lobby and perhaps secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation. Or is this our government trying to show political will for unpopular but necessary changes?

Above is just for MRT. I heard LRT 1 and LRT 2 shall be increasing its fares as well.

Talk about starting the year right. I say we should have a money back guarantee say after 6 months if we don’t see any improvements in spite of the significantly higher fares.
Photo: MRT by  brownpau 

Juan Liners: Uberkill LTFRB, Pera sa Basura, Betting and BLOOMing, Divisoria Adventure

Last week, news came out that LTFRB is apprehending Uber drivers as they are considered colorum. MMDA meanwhile asked for LTFRB’s reconsideration since, as MMDA argues, Uber can actually be considered as a private arrangement between the vehicle-owner/driver and the passenger, similar to carpooling or bridal cars, hence not to be considered as public transport.

Haven’t tried Uber myself but I find the one who created it very clever. Uber is a very creative business model. So creative it makes our government agencies argue. It makes commuting easier as it allows passengers to pre-book and use private vehicles for their needed travel, for a premium payment. Mind you these are not your usual taxis, since as passengers shared, they are usually high-end sedans and even SUVs. Some got to ride on Camry, MonteroSport, Hummer and even BMW. Chances are there is a Camaro too.

Testimonials from uber-satisfied Uber users: Clean, safe, reliable and uber cool.

Upon hearing how it works, after I was amazed, I also asked myself. So how is it regulated, if need be? Can it remain as a private arrangement between two parties, or should it be considered a public mode of transport, hence regulated by LTFRB? Borderline really.

Some Uber users think LTFRB is uberkill on this issue. What do you think?

May Pera sa Basura

After a steep fall last October 13, PSEi has been showing some signs of rebound and uptrend, amid the very thin volume. It seems like investors prefer to remain on the sidelines, still waiting for more positive indicators that the tide has indeed turned for the better. Traders and tsupiteros meanwhile are feasting on basura stocks, or those with very minimal capitalization, some gaining 40% and 50% on a daily basis based on rumors, jockeying or simple scavenging.

I myself am not good in trading basura issues. My investment OHA and budget do not suit such high frequency risky transactions. So I patiently wait on the side too. My unsolicited advice to those who play with fiery basura:

May pera sa basura. Pero huwag papaiwang may hawak na basura. Lalo’t higit, huwag sasaluhin ang basurang itinatambak na ng iba.

Caveat though, this refers to stocks and not to literal trash. LTFRB este MMDA please don’t apprehend me.

BLOOMing Industry

Shares of Solaire (PSE: BLOOM) showed a very strong bullish trend amidst the weak market and thin trading. For the past 5 days, BLOOM shares climbed up, ending at 15.02 as of Friday, from a low of 12.90 during the drop coinciding the TWD premiere. What’s up Forum posters say that there will be a good news to be disclosed soon.

A might-be-related news refers to a big time US casino named after a Roman leader planning to join the PH gambling industry. It seems that in casinos, the more players, the better since it leads to great competition and robust international marketing (like what happened to the boom in Macau casinos), attracting the moneyed gamblers around the world. Unlike in other industries where more players lead to saturation of the market.

Yours truly was fortunate enough to cash in on the recent upswing. I don’t gamble but I don’t mind betting on casino stocks with growth stories. Not sure with the other listed casino shares though. As of this writing, I’m still BLOOMing.

More Business Ideas

Went to Divisoria yesterday along with seemingly millions of other Juan and Juana’s who want to buy bargain items. Uber daming tao. Got a headache afterwards but mission accomplished nonetheless. If you are looking for business ideas, you might want to pay Divisoria a visit, and do some window or actual shopping especially by the streets of Juan Luna, Tabora, Ilaya, and Sto.Cristo. You might just get your next business idea, business machines and business improvements from these streets.

Went to Divisoria yesterday to explore some expansion options for the coffee business. In corporate lingo, capex. In my small time entrepreneur lingo, investing in more equipments and packaging gimmicks.

My unsolicited advice to Divisoria goers, aside from be alert, be careful with your belongings and avoid the Christmas rush:

Be frugal and be practical. But don’t be cheap.
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Photos: 
Chevrolet Camaro by  henrymaxm 
Casino Chips with houses on top by  Images_of_Money 

MRT Tries Express Trains ala MMDA Bus Segregation Scheme

MRT will be dispatching express trains effective April 30, 2014, or based on amended posts, until further notice. Well better late than never.

Suggested a similar MRT segregation strategy way back in Dec 2012, just like MMDA bus segregation scheme along EDSA.

Not saying it will work, but saying it’s worth a try.

Finally, word reached the MRT Administration to give it a shot.

Basically, there will be skipping trains (or what they call express trains) with limited and pre-selected stops which means not all people will need to squeeze themselves inside each and every train that passes by. This scheme groups the very busy destinations together so that those going to the less busy and less crowded stations need not force themselves into the already jampacked trains. Hopefully, this frees up space and time to accommodate those bound for very busy stations. People will have to be mindful though of what the stops will be per every train that pass the stations so information dissemination and coordination are crucial. 

Copies of the postings are as follows:

The schedule are of course mere estimates. This post was taken at Cubao station showing morning schedules so I suppose this will be the express trains for northbound during mornings.

The ones posted at Ayala station show evening schedules so I guess it varies during the peak hours of the stations. And the groupings (southbound) posted at Ayala station are as follows:

Taft- Magallanes- Cubao- Kamuning- Quezon Ave- North Ave

Taft- Ayala- Cubao- Kamuning- Quezon Ave- North Ave

Taft- Buendia- Cubao- Kamuning- Quezon Ave- North Ave

For this southbound groupings, noticeable that Guadalupe to Santolan stations were skipped so those bound for these stations will have to wait for the non-express trains that will stop at every station.

Let’s hope this works and shortens travel time for everybody. Commuters will have to be careful though as I’d expect the lines at the platforms will be rumbled again and again since not every train will be relevant to everyone lined up. 

And for us commuters, a little bit of cooperation, adjustment and self-education are asked for. More patience and more consideration to our co-commuters.

Let’s give the MRT Administration a chance too.

Photo: MRT by  brownpau 

Is The MRT Crowd Control Scheme Working?

So is it working? Commuters are dying este dying to know, is it working?

It has been more than a month since MRT implemented a new crowd control scheme. In the new scheme, queues in MRT North Avenue station were reduced and volume of people entering the station was greatly regulated (max 500 at a time they say), thereby causing very very very long lines outside the station. The objective is to discourage commuters from flocking to MRT North Avenue station (where it used to be a bit easier and bit faster to get into a train), and to give better riding chances to people waiting in succeeding stations (e.g. Quezon Ave, Kamuning, etc).

After more than a month, I hope MRT provides us with realistic and unbiased updates on whether this scheme is indeed working.

Of course irate customers flooded the social media to express their disgust and irritation. Understood, people are naturally resistant to change, and in fairness to MRT, maybe we can give them time to see if this change works. Now, that time is up. So please, MRT get back to us with your assessment.

Personally, the “discourage commuters” part is indeed working. My queueing time just to get inside the station is now 45 minutes minimum (used to be 30 minutes, tops) in a very dusty and carbon-monoxide laden roadside, because there are now just 2 lines in Trinoma side from previous 4. And these lines no longer enter via the northbound gates, but instead cross the overpass and merge with the southbound lines, all entering via the southbound gates.Given the fewer lines and multiple “stop entry,” Juan will find the end of the queue at the trembling overpass in front of SM North EDSA mall. I don’t think these structures were made to hold a lot of people for a long time. It’s for crossing, not for queueing! Just a few more somersaults and Juan will join the end of the queues from southbound side.

Travel time has greatly increased. But in fairness to them, getting inside a train is now a bit faster since the platforms are no longer crowded. But still, does that compensate for the increased waiting time outside the stations? In my experience, no. My overall travel time increased in spite of me leaving 30 minutes earlier than usual.

And is this crowd control scheme in place in the succeeding stations?

Commuting via the MRT has become more and more discouraging. Even my town mates who used to ride the shuttles going to Trinoma / North Ave station, now queue for shuttles going to Cubao. So is it now easier to line up and get inside the MRT Cubao station instead? Anyone?

I’d like to raise this again. Have we considered a MRT segregation scheme similar to MMDA’s Bus Segregation scheme? Again, anyone?

P.S. The new train purchases are targeted to be available in 2 years time. Plus all the road constructions lined up for the year and years to come. God have mercy.

P.S.S. Oh, and that’s just getting to work. Getting home from work via MRT is a whole new (mis)adventure!
Photo: Image_0200 by  brownpau