An Innovative App Connects Tricycle Drivers and Customers in the Philippines
On Bohol, the 10th largest island province of the Philippines, tricycles are a common sight. Residents and tourists alike routinely use those small cabs powered by a motorcycle to commute. Pedi App, launched in 2022, leverages information technology to connect drivers to customers in several municipalities in Bohol, seeking to have a positive social impact by enhancing accessibility and convenience.
Reagan Loberternos is one of the four co-founders of Pedi App and its CEO. His Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) career began at the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) at the University of San Carlos, where he served as a Patent Agent and Technical Specialist for more than four years. He is currently an IPR Consultant, continuing to assist innovators in navigating the patenting process and protecting their ideas. He is also a PhD candidate in Materials Science and Engineering. His knowledge of patent search was instrumental in his innovation.
Upon returning to his hometown, Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Reagan met Feliciano Agta, a former colleague who had become an entrepreneur. Feliciano Agta had an idea for an online ride-hailing app for tricycles. Feliciano, however, had no knowledge of how to develop it. Reagan, with his background in programming, was immediately interested. Feliciano's real estate business partner, Erwin Saycon, and IT expert Christian Lugod joined the effort, and Pedicab Solutions Inc. was founded.
Tricycle Booking App offers Accessible Ride
Pedi App, Accessible, Available, Affordable
Pedi App is an on-demand tricycle booking app designed to address traffic concerns and improve the quality of life of tricycle drivers and the commuting public, Reagan explained, adding that the App was also designed to service everyone, including people with disabilities, and avoid the overcharging of tourists, which tarnishes Bohol's reputation. "I wanted to be part of the solution," he said, "Pedi App addresses this issue by providing regulated and reliable fare rates for all passengers, ensuring a fair and transparent pricing system."
Customers can use Pedi App to book transportation services through their smartphones, on Android or Apple devices. Most of the rides available are on tricycles, and a few are on motorcycles, depending on the availability in the area. The system is entirely automated.
The Pedi App fare rates are above the minimum rates provided by the government scales but well below the most expensive fares found in Bohol. Pedi App includes a cashless payment option through PediPay for users' convenience.
Social Inclusivity, Incentives for Drivers
The company conducts behavior analysis, socio-economic impact assessments of drivers and customers, and accessibility analysis for people with disabilities. Reagan emphasized his commitment to making Pedi App socially inclusive, particularly for people with disabilities, who often face the greatest challenges in hailing a ride. "I've noticed that tricycle drivers frequently decline bookings from passengers with disabilities," he observed.
To address this issue, Pedi App incentivizes drivers by offering rewards and the waiving of booking fees for accepting rides from identified passengers with disabilities, he explained.
Partner of the Sandugo sa Bohol Festival
Pedi App partners with local governments, such as the city and the province, to promote the service and tailor the App to local regulations. For example, the company entered into a partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol to create a one-stop hub for all information about 'Sandugo sa Bohol' festivities. "Through the app, we aim to provide easy access to all festival information, enhancing the experience for locals and tourists alike."
Independent Ride-Hailing Drivers
Since its inception in September 2022, 10,000 people have subscribed to the service. Tagbilaran is home to 4,000 tricycles drivers, 340 of which use Pedi App.
Unlike services like Uber, which hire their own drivers with their personal cars, Pedi App does not have any drivers, streamlining the logistics. The App is only available to independent drivers with existing public transportation licenses delivered by the local government. "It adds another layer of security for customers because only qualified drivers use the app."
Although registration to the Pedi App is free, some drivers might be reluctant to use technology, so the company provides support for using the App.
Licensed Tricycle Drivers in Bohol and Beyond
Currently, Pedi App is available in seven municipalities in Bohol: Tagbilaran City, Panglao, Dauis, Cortes, Baclayon, Maribojoc, and Tubigon, but interest is growing from other places, such as Cebu and Manilla. However, Reagan said that the company limits the App's access to areas where licensed public utility drivers are present. Deploying the App beyond Bohol means it would need to be customized to conform to specific local government policies, he noted.
On the verge of becoming a Multi-service App
The company is constantly innovating. "My dream is for Pedi App to become a super app for all bookings, not just transportation."
Beyond tricycle ride bookings, PediCab Solutions provides an application for motorcycle ride bookings: Pedi Moto, and an application to buy cinema tickets: Pedi Cine.
Reagan wants to include services such as bill payments, airplane tickets, tours and festival bookings, food delivery, bank services, and medical appointments. However, with its reduced team of 8 employees, PediCab Solutions is focusing on the transportation area first.
Importance of IP in Pedi App’s Strategy
Because Reagan is a patent agent, he knows the patent literature contains a wealth of information. The design of Pedi App benefitted from an intense patent analysis. He plowed through online booking app patents, such as Uber, Lift, and Grab, to understand those apps' logic and processes and added some innovation.
Intellectual Property Rights, he said, "is crucial for our business as it protects our brand identity, innovations, and creative works." "It ensures that our customers can reliably identify and trust our services and provides a competitive edge by preventing unauthorized use and infringement, allowing us to confidently invest in research and development."
"Additionally, IP adds significant asset value, enhances market positioning, and opens up revenue streams through licensing and partnerships, supporting our growth and success."
