Why Do I Book a GrabCar When I Have My Own Car?


Nowadays, having a personal vehicle is more of a necessity than a luxury. With the Covid-19 pandemic, commuting has been scarier more than ever. This is especially true if you have to bring your children somewhere. But recently, I would book a GrabCar for some of our errands around Bacolod City. Why would I do that even when I have my own car? Let me take you down memory lane.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ GrabCar Bacolod is back in business and they accept only cashless transactions. So even if you don’t have your wallet with you, just make sure that you have your phone with the Grab app installed and your GrabPay loaded. ~

My Personal Experience with Commuting

Well, let me tell you this story first before I answer the question above.

When I was in college, I studied at the University of San Carlos in Cebu. Every school day, I had to commute going to school.

There came a time when the travel to school was so tiring since it takes 2 to 3 rides from my maternal grandmother’s house. Plus, it is like a 30-45 minute trip.

So I asked my father if maybe they could get me a second-hand car that I could use in Cebu.

My wise Papa told me that there is a better option. All you have to do, he said, is to raise your hand and a chauffeured vehicle will come to you. You can even ride a different model each time, he adds.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ Having a different ride everyday with GrabCar Bacolod. Wifey and I went to Mandaue Foam where it’s hard to find parking. Then we went to downtown Bacolod. We took the GrabCar because it’s more convenient. ~

But what he meant was that, I should raise my hand to hail a jeepney ride. It has a driver and I get to ride a different one every day. He actually had no plans of getting me my own car.

Oh well, I tried my luck.

Hailing a Ride Made Trendy

Actually, my father had a point and it was a matter of perspective. The way he said it made the option of commuting sounded more convenient and way cooler.

There are indeed downsides to hailing a jeepney or a taxi, especially in Cebu. In the city, these vehicles are mostly occupied during rush hour. It was really hard to secure a ride when your dismissal is at the same time as the end of the workday for professionals.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ Safety barriers separate the driver from the passengers. There is no physical contact anymore plus passengers are required to wear a face mask and face shield. It is for mutual protection against Covid-19. ~

Eventually, commuting has evolved. We now have Transport Network Vehicle Service or TNVS. Here in Bacolod City, there is only one that can provide vehicles that don’t have labels on the car doors—and that is, GrabCar. I think TNVS units are a cross between rent-a-car, “limousine” service, and a taxi service.

Why Do I Book a GrabCar When I Finally Have a Car?

So now, the ultimate question: Why do I still book a GrabCar ride when I am Superman…er when I now own a vehicle?

Mainly, it is for convenience. GrabCar is very efficient if where I am going to does not have a big parking space. The driver can just drop me off and go on his way. Then I just book another ride in order to go home.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ Wifey and I had a pre-Valentine lunch date in Bacolod restaurant. We booked a GrabCar going there so that I won’t have to walk far from the parking lot under the scorching heat of the sun. ~

Secondly, I also book a GrabCar when I need to travel via sea or air. Wifey doesn’t drive so I cannot bring myself in our own car going to the seaport or airport. There is no one to drive back the car.

Thirdly, we also book a GrabCar ride when we are going around in other cities where the service is offered. It is easy and convenient plus we know that it is much safer than just booking a regular taxi.

We used to travel a lot to Manila and Cebu and there are reports of people getting ripped off with exorbitant taxi fares. With GrabCar, you only pay what you booked for and it’s up to you if you want to tip the driver for good service.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ Booking a GrabCar from the Ayala Malls Capitol Central. The building at the back is the Negros Occidental provincial capitol. ~

GrabCar in the New Normal

But we haven’t traveled anymore since the pandemic broke out in March. Our last family travel was in February 2020 when all of us went to Baguio City and Pampanga.

And with all the government-imposed quarantine periods, we stayed home most of the time.

It has been about a year since the Covid-19 virus has wreaked havoc. I have been thinking, maybe it is time to move on. This is not really to start ignoring the virus and move around like we used to before. No, WE SHOULD NOT PRETEND THAT THE VIRUS IS NO LONGER HERE.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ Wear your face mask and face shield while inside the GrabCar. Most cars provide disinfectant alcohol. Use it or your own to sanitize your hands, mobile phone, and arms. ~

But we have to figure out a way with how to proceed with our lives and how to always stay safe. Our family has been doing that for about a year now. Scientists and doctors have discovered ways how to avoid getting infected or even spread the virus. And we are religiously following these.

And I am glad that GrabCar has been following all those guidelines and safety protocols that the experts have been recommending.

Of all the guidelines, I most appreciate the cashless transaction that GrabCar offers. I understand that not everybody is able to acquire a credit card. But with GrabPay, anybody who uses the Grab App is able to go with cashless transactions by topping up their virtual wallets. That way, all transactions with the driver are contactless.

driver, lady driver, Grab Car, Grab Food, Grab Car Bacolod, Grab Car rewards, Grab Car promos, Grab Pay, safety protocols, new normal, Covid-19, Covid-19 pandemic, hubby, husband, lockdown, car barriers, cashless payments, Bacolod City, Grab rewards, contamination, contact tracing, stay at home, GrabProtect, GrabPay Wallet, balance transfer, send money, verify your account, GrabPay Card, GrabCar, GrabCar Bacolod, own car, personal car, family car, personal vehicle, Bacolod City, cashless, commuting, jeepney, taxi
~ Safely home in a GrabCar. We have pinned the location of our store, Wilmar Enterprises, in the Grab app because it is easier to locate in Central Bacolod. ~

Technology is amazing and I am thankful that it is making our lives easier even with the pandemic.

5 thoughts on “Why Do I Book a GrabCar When I Have My Own Car?

  1. Yess totoo. Kapag passenger ka tlaga sa grab safe ka tlaga. Enjoy the rides lang. Tapos very convenient dahil cashless na sila no hasle pa dahil super bilis lang mag book sa knila. Very friendly pa mga drivers nila. Hehe. So comfortble ka tlaga

  2. Funny Daddy Dennis. Why you have to booked a GrabCar no need po kasi ikawsi Superman. Kaya mo pong lumipad?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *