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Say hello to OWTO, the newest ride hailing app service made by Filipinos for the Filipino

By Randy
.
May 18, 2018

Filipino commuters today, especially those based in Metro Manila, are banking on the promise of safer and more convenient means of travel from transport network vehicle service (TNVS) companies like Grab and Uber.

But with the recent acquisition of Uber by Grab that resulted in the former’s exit in Southeast Asia, many Pinoys had no choice but to face the adverse effects. These include waiting for long periods of time to have their Grab bookings accepted, or to endure again the hassle of arguing with “choosy” taxis drivers that deny trips or charge fares excessively. That is the status quo, but all that is about to change.

There’s a new TNVS player in town, and its name is OWTO. Inspired by the tagalog word “awto” which means car or vehicle, OWTO prides itself as 100% Filipino-owned and is on a mission to improve the TNVS situation in the country, particularly in Metro Manila.

Fair, safe, Filipino

OWTO is owned and operated by iPARA Technologies and Solutions, Inc., a Philippine-based company specializing in transport innovations. It promises a fairer and safer experience for both drivers and riders.

For example, its driver’s app features a “Distress Button,” a kind of in-app panic button which the driver can activate when he or she is in danger. When pressed, the driver’s app sends a distress signal to the OWTO command center for help.

On the other hand, riders are assured of a safer and more secure commute as the OWTO driver’s app requires that the cellphone’s front and/or back video camera must be on at all times. OWTO even imposes an exact location on the dashboard which gives the video camera the most optimum view of the trip.

If something goes wrong or if the rider feels something unpleasant is happening, he or she can obtain the video footage of the entire trip and attach it on a complaint form in the app to be submitted to OWTO for investigation. This way, both the driver and the rider can contest the incident in fairness and equal rights based on actual facts.

Convenience and affordability

This next level of safety and fairness is what OWTO claims as its trump card against its competitors. However, just like its rivals in the biz, it too has features that make riding fast, easy, and convenient. One can book a solo ride, a shared ride, or a larger vehicle like an SUV for groups of around 6 people. Also, downloading the app is free, as is registering onto it.

Simply download the OWTO app on Google Play Store for Android devices, open the app, sign in with mobile number (or with Facebook account), input the code sent to the number via SMS, input pertinent details such as name and email address, and you’re good to go on your maiden OWTO ride. Just key in your pick-up and drop-off points, click Book, wait for driver to accept, and enjoy the journey.

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) can also avail discount rides by submitting a selfie and a photo of the government issued Senior or PWD ID card in the app. This process is done only once as the OWTO system will register it on the database for future rides.

Of note, OWTO is only downloadable on Google Play Store. But it will soon be available, free of charge, for iOS devices through Apple App Store. For more information about OWTO, visit https://owtoph.com/

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About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.