Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), as the name suggests, is more known for their toll roads in the country. Most popular among these are North Luzon Expressway and SCTEX that connects Metro Manila with various provinces up north. Last year, they added a new direction for the company with the creation of MPT Mobility – a new arm that focuses on innovative mobility solutions that are all digitally driven. They address problems in urbanized cities and though the projects are still in infancy, they’re optimistic with where they’re headed.
“MPT Mobility plays a vital role in improving Filipinos’ travel experience with technology-driven products and services,” said Rodrigo Franco, President and CEO of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation. “We are pleased to showcase what the group has in store through its 8 operating units.”
Dibz
Dibz is an app that removes the hassle of looking for a parking spot especially during peak hours. It allows users to search, pre-book, and digitally pay for their parking space; erasing the waste of fuel because of waiting for a space in a parking lot or building.
They’re eyeing a start in Makati, particularly in Dela Rosa 1, Dela Rosa 2, and Valero parking lots. Mall parking is also included as they’ve been awarded as the official valet for SM North EDSA, Mall of Asia, SM Aura, Ayala Malls Feliz, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Byahe (On-Us Solutions Inc.)
Mobility includes commuters which is why MPTC also dipped their toes into public transport by having a huge stake in Byahe. It’s a transportation company that operates with modern jeepneys and changes the norm for both drivers and commuters. For the former, they pay them in a fixed rate salary system instead of the usual ‘arawan’ and have government benefits. For the commuters, Byahe currently has 30 units and operates 7 routes in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija. Metro Manila is still limited with their buses plying mainly in Divisoria and Sta. Mesa. They plan on having up to 530 units and 35 routes in total by 2027.
What sets Byahe apart is they have designated stops (like our train system) and a dispatch system for optimal number of units on the road. They also have an app so users can see the Estimated Time of Arrival of the next Byahe modern jeep. Apart from those, they are planning on Dynamic Supply Re-Allocation and Dynamic Rerouting if they see that one route has a higher demand than another.
NLEX Drive and Dine
While others are mere ‘pit stops’ along a highway, NLEX Drive and Dine is a go-to destination itself thanks to its selection of food joints and premier retail stores. Renato Ticzon, VP and Marketing Consultant for MPT Mobility shared that Drive and Dine is being expanded for a Phase 2 for more spaces, parking, and greenery to enhance it not just for motorists but adjacent communities as well.
Easytrip Services Corporation
Improvements are also being done on MPTC’s RFID platform. Apart from new, easier to read stickers, they have the following initiatives for Easytrip users – migration to DriveHub app for better experience, same-day processing of RFID concerns, and Auto SOA or an automatic email for their e-statement for free.
MPT DriveHub
Replacing the myeasytrip app, MPT DriveHub is a more robust companion in driving. Aside from allowing you to see your balance, it has real-time reloading, a toll fee calculator, travel advisories, emergency roadside assistance and direct customer service hotline among others.
They’re also looking into going beyond the driving centric services of the app in the near future. You can look forward to expressway support that gives you details on navigation, advanced food ordering and fuel reloading on participating establishments along the way. You can also do bus booking and payments, parking reservations, see a charging map for your electric vehicle, and traffic fine payments. There will also be tourism focused services like on-demand car rental, tourism reservations, and auto parts and accessories.
Spot On
Advertising was also tackled by the group. Spot On is their arm that provides innovative and highly visible placements for both motorists and pedestrians. They will be strategically located along MPTC expressways and future placements would include transit ads, bus stops, and even 3D ads.
Savvice Corporation
Aside from taking care of motorists with their casual needs, MPT Mobility has Savvice for their on-road assistance in their expressways. It’s a full-service solutions provider that offers fleet services, towing, and roadside assistance among others. In the future, they also aim to provide online booking for car rentals, and on-demand shuttles.
One Hub
The low-key yet crucial arm of MPT Mobility is One Hub – their central customer response system for all their digital channels. It provides real-time support for their website, apps, has a centralized database, and processes all customer concerns.
MPT Mobility also studies how it can help bikers with their everyday journey. According to Laurence Bahia of Byahe, they are currently considering putting bike racks on their buses so people can go farther without pedaling all the way there. These 8 operating units under MPT Mobility are only the beginning of MPTC’s promise of providing ‘innovolutions’ to the country