Bacolod City, Philippines – In a unique gesture, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez took his Tesla Model X car around the city to surprise lucky passengers with a one-of-a-kind ride experience.
On his Facebook page, Mayor Albee Benitez revealed that he had become a Grab driver for a day, personally fetching three passengers and engaging them in conversations about their daily commute and the growing popularity of digital ride-hailing services in the city.
One of the passengers, Joy, expressed her appreciation for Grab's transparency and convenience, highlighting the upfront fare calculation and the ease of booking a ride from a mobile phone. Another booking involved two passengers who worked for a call center. Their surprise at seeing the mayor behind the wheel of a Tesla was evident, with one passenger remarking, "I thought it was a prank! But Grab wouldn't do something like that."
The passengers also shared their positive experiences with Grab, emphasizing the safety and convenience it offers, particularly for women who work late-night shifts.
Mayor Benitez welcomed the opportunity to interact with his constituents and gain insights into their daily lives. He expressed satisfaction with the experience, noting the valuable conversations he had with the passengers.
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Passenger 1, waiting from One Reges Condominium |
In addition to providing a unique experience for his passengers, Mayor Benitez also highlighted the potential of ride-hailing as a viable livelihood opportunity for Bacolodnons. He earned approximately P300 during his short stint as a Grab driver.
Bacolod City has been a pioneer in the ride-hailing industry, being the first city outside of Metro Manila to welcome GrabCar. Since its launch in 2016, GrabCar has significantly expanded its services in the city, with over 500 active driver-partners and plans to further expand its reach in the region.
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