Davao's Ride-Hailing Conversation Is Shifting from Price to Experience

A Davaoeño may open a ride-hailing app due to the fare, but it is rarely remembered. When you ask Davao City commuters about the rides that stayed with them, the topic always shifts to hospitality.

Whether it's traveling home from work in Bajada, taking an early flight from Francisco Bangoy International Airport, navigating Kadayawan traffic along Roxas, or getting together with friends at Roxas Night Market, Davaoeños' recollections of their travels are frequently characterized by something far less quantifiable: how they made them feel.

We therefore questioned whether hospitality is more important than fare. When you ask someone what factors are most important when making a ride reservation, the response is usually the same: cost, accessibility, and ease of use. When you ask them what they truly remember, their response completely shifts.

The fare was exactly what they expected, so no one remembers a ride. Rather, they recall the driver who stood by while they hurried back inside the house to get a forgotten passport prior to traveling to the airport. They recall not having to walk through the rain when they got home to Toril or Buhangin during a torrential downpour. They recall a driver who provided assistance with groceries, or a ride following an especially demanding day that was more relaxed than anticipated.

These seemingly insignificant incidents keep coming up in discussions throughout the city, and they all lead to the same conclusion: Davaoeños are describing hospitality rather than cars. On and off the road, Davao is renowned for this very thing. This could be the reason why many Davaoeños who used Green GSM following its introduction in Davao City claimed that their initial reservation came from straightforward curiosity. For the majority, it was their first experience using an electric taxi. 

However, the technology itself had little to do with what remained with them afterward. While waiting at crowded intersections like Matina Crossing or Buhangin, some people mentioned how unusually quiet the cabin felt. Others enjoyed getting out of the car without the lingering fuel odor that comes with regular traffic. Many commented on the cars' cleanliness and upkeep, and many others highlighted the drivers' composed and competent demeanor during the trip.

People were drawn to the electric car, but they were more interested in making another reservation because of the friendly service. Cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable rides are exactly what it looks like in daily life, even though most people might not refer to it as sustainability.

A good ride is more than just a means of transportation. It's about arriving with the same warmth and respect that Davao has always been known for.

As Davao City expands, more locals are starting to view this type of ride as something that all rides ought to be, rather than as something brand-new.