Commuters in Northern Mindanao now have a cleaner way to get around. Green GSM has launched an all-electric taxi service in the region, covering Cagayan de Oro and the neighboring Misamis Oriental towns of Opol, El Salvador, Alubijid and Laguindingan, home of the region’s main airport.
The service handles short trips within the city, intercity rides and airport transfers. Passengers can book a car through the Green GSM mobile app, call the company’s customer service hotline, or simply flag down an available unit on the street. The full launch comes after a trial run that started in late August.
Every vehicle in the Northern Mindanao fleet is a VinFast electric car. According to the company, the units produce no tailpipe emissions and run more quietly than conventional taxis, which it says makes for a smoother ride, especially on longer journeys. That could be a plus for travelers heading to or from Laguindingan Airport.
Green GSM said its drivers are trained in driving skills, professional conduct and road safety. To keep pricing transparent, fares are shown in the app or on the official in-car meter, so riders can see what they will pay for each journey, including intercity trips and airport runs where rates can differ depending on the route.
The company has packaged its service standards as “5 Green Promises”: Good Cars, Good Drivers, Good Prices, Good Experiences and Good for the Environment. The promises cover the vehicles, the people behind the wheel, pricing, passenger service and the fleet’s environmental impact.
There is also a small welcome treat for new riders. Users who register with Green GSM receive 15 Green Points, worth 15 pesos, which can be used as a discount on rides.
Northern Mindanao is the latest stop in the company’s expansion across the country. Green GSM already operates electric taxis in Metro Manila, Central Visayas and other parts of Mindanao. Beyond giving residents another transport option, the company said it expects the expansion to create jobs for service drivers in the region.
Pham Nhat Minh Hoang, Global Chief Executive Officer of Green SM, said expanding into Northern Mindanao allows the company to widen its coverage “in a region with strong potential, while giving more residents access to electric mobility with consistent service quality and reasonable costs.” He added that the company will keep building its network and working with local partners to develop a scalable electric transport model with long-term value for the Philippines.
The environmental gains of electric taxis also depend on how their batteries are charged. When charging draws on renewable energy, the emissions tied to running the vehicles drop even further, and switching from petrol and diesel to electricity reduces direct fossil fuel use on the road.
For a growing metro area like Cagayan de Oro, where traffic and fuel costs are everyday concerns, the arrival of a quieter, emission-free taxi option is a welcome step toward greener city travel. Green GSM said it will continue to expand its electric taxi network across the Philippines.
Source: Responsible Us
