MMDA launches Mobile App that allows carpooling among Facebook Friends

MANILA — To find alternative solution to solve traffic congestion at the same time help in easing pollution in metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday launched the application for Android phones and tablets that allows carpooling among Facebook Friends can now expand their connectivity not just online but on the roads.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the public will have free way to get around with friends while solving road congestion problems in Metro Manila.

Dubbed as “Friend Trip,” Tolentino, together with his mobile technical team, unveiled a mobile application (app) that allows carpooling among Facebook friends or those living within the same area and going to a certain destination.

The MMDA chief said Friend Trip is another addition to the MMDA’s many innovative solutions to minimize traffic congestion and pollution problems because the volume of cars and other private vehicles going around town will surely be reduced if motorists and commuters will avail of this carpooling mobile app.

“We believe Friend Trip will resonate deeply to millions of Facebook users who form part of majority of the riding public,” Tolentino said, while adding that it is also the only carpooling app that does not involve any monetary transactions.

”Ginagawa po nating ngayon ay hindi pinapangakong mabawasan ang trapik, ginagawa po natin ngayon ay magbigay ng konting solusyon kung paano po mababawasan ang polusyon. Sa bawat isang kotse at sasakyan, ang pasahero lang ay driver o iisa. Kumakain po ito ng espasyo at umaagaw po ito ng espasyo rin dapat na daanan ng iba. Nagbibigay po ito ng mataas na level ng polusyon na nagdudulot din ng sakit at trapik. Kaya nga po nilunsad ang app na ito para po maunawaan natin that the problem is complicated,” Tolentino explained during the launching held at MMFF Cinema beside MMDA Headquarters in Makati City,

Mobile users can avail of this app by signing up via Facebook and entering their phone numbers. The app finds who among their friends are already using the app. From here, they can choose between being a driver or a rider.

Tolentino explained If you choose to be a rider, there will be color coding such as red, yellow and green indicators will flash on the screen.

Red indicates that your friend’s car is already full.

Yellow is pending while Green indicates an available spot in the car.

This mobile app is now available for free on google play. It can soon be downloaded on apple store.

Users of this app will get to enjoy free travel (no monetary transaction) since it is designed to promote car pooling among friends.

The MMDA chief explained that they particularly chose to partner with Facebook because majority of the riding public are on this social media site.

Tolentino assured the riding public on the safety features of the app and should only recognizes one’s Facebook friends so that he never has to ride with strangers.

Your facebook friend’s profile pic and information will appear on the app.

“Hindi mo naman isasakay pag hindi mo friend. Hindi ka rin sasakay pag hindi mo friend. Tangkilikin po natin ang Friend Trip. Tangkilikin po natin ang tulong ng teknolohiya. Kapag nagawa po natin yan, napagsama sama natin pagtulungan, together we’re unstoppable,” said Tolentino.

He noted the Friend Trip likewise gives an option to users to have the MMDA record all their trips.

Minors will need parental consent in riding with a friend.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said that the agency is looking at giving incentives such as exemption from number coding scheme or extend window hours to drivers who would frequently accommodate their friends using this app.

Tolentino also said the app will soon be made available to Apple users two weeks from now.