The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory or LTFRB has accredited a new transport network vehicle service provider, inDrive, to locally offer ride-hailing services to Filipino commuters.

"We are thrilled to receive official accreditation from the LTFRB, a testament to our unwavering commitment to safety, reliability and innovation," Roman Ermoshin, director of APAC at inDrive, said in an official press statement on Monday.

"As we embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to fulfilling the transportation needs of Filipinos, providing them with more choices, and contributing to the evolving landscape of urban mobility," Ermoshin said.

inDrive said it already kicked off its driver recruitment initiatives in preparation for its maiden operations in five cities outside Metro Manila, namely: Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro and Butuan.

The transport firm is currently running a driver registration campaign in the five cities from now until 31 December where drivers who have successfully registered with the platform will receive a fuel voucher worth $10.

To participate, drivers must ensure they possess all the necessary accreditations. They can use the app without having to pay service fees when accepting rides for the starting period.

Before the company entered into the Philippines ride-hailing market, inDrive had established a firm presence in three other countries in the Southeast Asia region, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Globally, inDrive is present in over 700 cities and 45 countries.

inDrive said it elevated its services by allowing passengers to select their drivers based on preferences like driver rating, vehicle model and estimated time of arrival.

In a similar vein, drivers have the discretion to select the most appropriate rides. They will get detailed ride requests, including the fare, pick-up location, and destination, allowing them to choose or reject ride requests without penalty.

This, according to inDrive, gives drivers flexibility, allowing them to maximize their earning potential.