MANILA — Ride-hailing firm InDrive said on Tuesday it is looking to double its driver base from around 8,000 to 16,000 by the end of 2024.

In an interview with ANC, InDrive Marketing Director for the Asia-Pacific Region Natalia Makarenko said the company aims to reach 20,000 drivers.

“We see the amount of drivers growing every day and it’s actually faster than we expected and this is a really really great news for us because it means that the business is getting traction,” said Makarenko.

This development comes after InDrive saw a 75 percent increase in ridership over the last three months or since its relaunch in the Philippines in June, despite having to let go of what was supposed to be the company’s unique selling proposition— its fare haggling scheme, to comply with the regulations of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

InDrive resumes operations after complying with LTFRB fare system

In a press conference, Makarenko said that InDrive’s monthly active users also grew by 86 percent, necessitating the need for more drivers.

To onboard more drivers, InDrive it continues to implement a zero-percent commission rate.

“We don’t have precise plans to announce the timing of the introduction of the commission… We’ll have an open feedback communication with our driver partners… for us to understand the condition of the people that we’re working with,” said Makarenko.

Makarenko also noted that once InDrive starts deducting commissions from drivers’ earnings, it would be between 0 and 10 percent, which is lower than that of its main rival in the Philippines.

Transport group Laban TNVS said this is a big plus for its member drivers whose income are being eaten up by high oil prices.

“Ine-encourage natin silang lumipat sa InDrive… Sinasabi naman natin sa mga drivers natin, kung saan tayo kikita nang maayos at kung saan tayo itinuturing bilang totoong partner at hindi pinapabayaan ng Transport Network Company, dapat doon ang suportahan natin,” said Laban TNVS President Jun De Leon during the same event.

Moving forward, InDrive also plans to expand its four-wheeled ride-hailing service in Cebu, Davao and Pampanga.

It is only currently operating in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo, Butuan, and Cagayan De Oro.

InDrive also wants to enter the two-wheel space and provide more services such as intercity transportation, freight delivery, task assistance, and courier delivery.

“It will depend on how well the expansion is going and it will depend on the local regulations that we have to abide by. We are in close coordination with the government bodies,” said Makarenko.

A bill seeking to regulate motorcycle taxis in the Philippines had just hurdled the House of Representatives back in July.