INTRAMUROS SCOOTER. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat tries the grabwheels scooter which will roll next month in Intramuros as part of DOT and GrabPH's freshly-forged partnership on Wednesday (Aug. 28, 2019). GrabPH committed to deploy 30 scooters inside the famous walled city. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)
MANILA-- Tourists who want to experience a more personal yet convenient trip within Intramuros are in for a treat with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Grab Philippines eyeing the September 2019 launch date for the GrabWheels-- a scooter hailing service with the pilot area inside the famous walled city.
On Wednesday, Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Grab Philippines President Brian Cu signed a memorandum of understanding with the ride-hailing company committing to deploy 30 units of scooters, free of charge for a period of three months, for tourists to experience the historic destination in Manila.
Romulo-Puyat said this partnership is in keeping with the DOT's effort to inculcate a culture of sustainable tourism in the Philippines.
"We want visitors to have access to an eco-friendly but fun mode of transportation," she said.
According to Cu, Grab Philippines will be setting up booths inside Intramuros where visitors can readily use the scooters. After the pilot testing, the rentals would be made via a mobile application called GrabWheels.
"This is a pilot to see what the uptake will be, if we see that there is a good response from the visitors this area, we might extend the trial period or select other locations," he said in an interview.
Romulo-Puyat said no new destination has been agreed upon yet but the DOT wants to put up similar service at the Rizal Park and Paco Park in Manila.
"It's now for Intramuros for the meantime and then we'll see how it goes then we'll expand," she told reporters. "This is the good thing with having a partnership with the private sector, there's more involvement in promoting the country's tourism."
Intramuros Administration chief Guiller Asido, for his part, is optimistic these personal mobility devices would significantly reduce traffic congestion inside the walled city.
"After a month, we will review its reception and determine the necessary mechanisms and setting of fees to make it sustainable," he said. (PNA)
