A digital platform to shuttle employees

SEAMLESS COMMUTE From home to office and back —Contributed photo

CEBU CITY—A Singapore-based mobility solutions provider has rolled out in the Philippines a new service that makes it easier for companies to offer transportation to employees.

Transport technology provider SWAT Mobility recently signed a partnership contract with local firm Hagibis Ventures Inc. (HVI) to introduce a new model of tech-enabled corporate employee shuttle service.

Cristina Estampador, chief marketing officer of HVI, says, “Like any business starting a new partnership, we’re very excited because this [affirms that] the work we have executed to help create a transport system that works for Filipino commuters has value,” she tells the Inquirer.

The growing list of partners, she adds, is a “testament that Cebuanos are seeing our solution as a positive and innovative response to their commuting needs. We are looking forward to partnering with other corporations in various parts of the country.”

SWAT Mobility is the largest transport solutions provider in Southeast Asia that is working with huge corporations to digitize employee transportation, helping companies navigate high-capacity vehicle pooling services.

The new platform operates on a pay-per-ride basis for employees. This service is offered exclusively to employees of partner companies like OP360, a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm based in Cebu.

OP360 signed up as it aims to improve its employees’ commutes, giving them greater convenience, comfort and safety as well as to address heavy traffic and transport challenges as part of its “people-first” employer branding.

David Highbloom, chief administrative officer of OP360, says they are excited to be one of the first BPOs in Cebu to pursue an innovative solution for employee transport.

“Being a people-first company is an integral part of our employer brand; our people’s safety remains our top priority and we are happy to offer ‘OP360 Mobility’ for our community as a long-term solution to help meet our people’s transportation needs,” he says. “We look forward to offering this service to the rest of our employees in the Philippines.”

The algorithm

HVI relies on technology that pools multiple commuters in larger vehicles and finds the optimal route for them, reducing private car usage and pollution levels by cutting down on traffic congestion during peak hours.

“As a corporate employee shuttle service that is direct from home to office, commuters do not have to worry about getting to work on time, they are now able to have more time to rest and spend less time traveling,” HVI’s website explains.

HVI says SWAT Mobility fares are priced reasonably versus other commute options. Fares are computed based on air distance, unlike most ride-hailing services which typically charge based on actual road distance traveled.

“We included the flexibility of advanced booking and free cancellation to offer employees more options to decide on their mode of transport,” it says.

“Knowing that you have a sure comfortable ride to work, getting back the time lost on old commutes, catching up on your reading or watching videos- it’s all so tempting and well worth the safety, comfort and convenience,” HVI says.

HVI has teamed up with Tourganize to serve the market in Cebu and is currently building partnerships with fleet providers in other parts of the country.

In Singapore, SWAT Mobility also offers logistics, community transport and school bus services. In the future, HVI plans to bring all these additional services to the Philippines and enter other key cities aside from Cebu.

“Smart mobility is developing rapidly, going beyond merely aiding passengers with commuter services and traffic management – now being used by businesses as an essential tool in their day-to-day operations,” HVI says.