inDrive expands in Bacolod as rides jump 127%

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Global mobility platform inDrive has established a physical presence in the city with the opening of a local Driver Centre to address the growing needs of commuters and partner drivers.

The center along Burgos Extension in Barangay Villamonte was inaugurated on Tuesday, Jan. 20, by Sofia Guinto, business development head for inDrive Philippines; Vanessa Taqueban, driver operations lead for the Philippines; Shaerine Irwina Kaur, inDrive Southeast Asia communications manager; and Roy Gamboa of the Land Transportation Office.

Since entering Bacolod City in 2024, inDrive’s active passenger base has grown by 30 percent, while rides surged 127 percent year-on-year, signaling strong adoption among both drivers and passengers, Guinto said.

“We’ve really seen a very strong growth here in Bacolod,” Guinto said, adding that the city “is really craving for another player in the ride-hailing segment.”

“It is a testament of how warm and accepting Bacolod people [are] to the service of inDrive,” she said during a press briefing after the launch.

Guinto said the official launch reflects the company’s confidence in the region’s potential and continued growth.

“We want to ensure that as Bacolod moves forward, its residents have access to a mobility partner that truly listens and empowers,” she added.

Guinto said partner drivers had requested a local office to assist with onboarding, training, and other operational concerns.

The new center will serve as a hub for driver support and community engagement to ensure mobility options expand alongside the city’s growth.

“Being present in Bacolod allows us to better understand the day-to-day transport challenges faced by both drivers and passengers,” Taqueban said.

“This dedicated hub enables us to support our partner drivers more effectively and engage more meaningfully with the community,” she added.

“Without our partner drivers, we won’t be able to reach this success and milestone for inDrive,” Taqueban said.

Through the expansion, inDrive aims to strengthen collaboration with local stakeholders while reinforcing its role as a people-driven and reliable mobility platform.

The company plans to continue organic growth in the city while enhancing service quality through new safety features, training modules, and app improvements for drivers and passengers.

Guinto said inDrive is continuously improving its app globally, including geolocation capabilities and mapping accuracy for areas not yet visible on digital maps.

“Expect that it will be our priority nationwide because we understand that ride-hailing apps are dependent on maps,” she said. “It will be a slow rollout, but a priority for this year.”

Guinto said inDrive maintains a 10 percent commission rate, among the lowest in the local ride-hailing industry.

This allows partner drivers to retain up to 90 percent of their earnings amid rising operational costs, while passengers benefit from more affordable ride options.

InDrive currently operates in 982 cities across 48 countries and is present in Metro Manila, Cebu, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Bicol and Butuan City.