Grab expands app, adds new service features

Transport network company Grab Holdings Inc.is positioning its technology as an everyday “super app” in Southeast Asia by introducing a new set of services in transportation, logistics, and lifestyle.

During a media town hall event in Makati City on Thursday, Grab Philippines country marketing head RJ Cabaluna said the new service features include Bus Marketplace, GrabExpress Nationwide Delivery, GrabSalon, GrabGifts, Videos, and Hotels will be available via the app.

The new services were made possible by Grab’s collaboration with bus companies, logistic firm Ninja Van, beauty salons Toni&Guy and L’Oreal, video streaming HOOQ, and hotel booking platform Agoda.

Grab will roll out these services progressively to all users by the end of 2019, Grab Philippines president Brian Cu said.

“Our aim as the leading super app is to solve everyday problems so that Filipinos can do more. We are doing this by breaking daily limitations such as limited transportation solutions, disconnected systems and services, and lack of financial inclusion,” Cu said.

“We then collaborate with partners to create a suite of connected services within one super app and help unlock the benefits of the digital economy to Filipinos,” he said.

Grab’s Bus Marketplace allows users to skip the queue and book tickets from its bus partners in advance.

The service was launched in July and initially offered through point-to-point (P2P) operations by Tas Trans and San Agustin for Glorietta 2-Nuvali and Glorietta 2-Southmall routes. Trips are scheduled every 30 minutes.

Cabaluna said the company is expanding the Bus Marketplace service in September with a new provincial point-to-point bus service from Olongapo to Clark, and Clark to Dagupan, and Makati to Noveleta in Cavite.

For GrabExpress Nationwide Delivery, Grab partnered with Ninja Van. Ninja Van’s network covers 95% of the Philippine population with over 9,000 riders.

Grab users can pay for deliveries nationwide at lower costs and bulk pickup of up to 30 parcels in one go, and next-day pickup schedule, Cabaluna  noted.

“Grab and Ninja Van’s shared vision is to be the game changers in the logistics segments. We are committed to creating solutions that will enable millions of SMEs to scale their businesses and afford Filipinos the ability to easily reach their loved ones across the Philippines, Martin Cu, country head of Ninja Van, said.

The transport network company partnered with Toni&Guy and L’Oreal for GrabSalon, with the goal of bringing professional hair salon services into customers’ homes starting this September.

Next October, HOOQ’s video streaming services will be available via Grab’s app.

In 2018, Grab inked a partnership with Booking Holdings Inc. to integrate Agoda and Booking.com hotel booking services into the Grab app.

Now fully integrated, Grab users can book hotel packages in over 28 million places to stay using the app.

“As the leading super app, we will continue to innovate and use our technology for good to help improve the quality of life for everyone in the Philippines,” Cu said. —VDS, GMA News