Against the backdrop of a sobering 62,723 road crash incidents recorded by the MMDA in the first eleven months of 2024, Philippine mobility platform Xpress has announced a dual-pronged initiative to professionalize the transport sector: the launch of the Driver Excellence Program (DXP) and the expansion of its fully salaried driver fleet.
With 332 fatalities reported across the capital’s transport network last year, Xpress is moving beyond traditional gig-economy models to prioritize road safety and workforce stability. The company asserts that as urban transport grows more complex, the industry must adapt to support a more skilled, often college-educated workforce entering the mobility space. “Road safety and workforce stability are interconnected,” Xpress said in an official statement. “Urban mobility cannot scale responsibly without disciplined training systems and stable employment structures.”
The Driver Excellence Program (DXP) is a mandatory framework for Xpress’s taxi and ridesharing segments. It focuses on shifting driver behavior from “gig-work” to a professional career through:
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Defensive Driving & Emergency Protocols: Rigorous training in incident response and road safety modules.
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Structured Certification: Formal onboarding that goes beyond basic app navigation.
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Financial Wellness: Literacy and income planning workshops to support long-term career growth.
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Continuous Evaluation: Ongoing performance monitoring and mandatory recertification to ensure service consistency.
Recognizing that financial stress can lead to erratic driving and high turnover, Xpress has confirmed the expansion of its salaried employment model. Unlike traditional independent contractors, these drivers receive:
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Fixed Monthly Salaries: Providing a reliable income floor regardless of daily booking fluctuations.
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Statutory Benefits: Full contributions to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund, ensuring long-term social security for the drivers and their families.
“Formal employment frameworks strengthen reliability,” the company stated. “When drivers operate within structured systems of training and benefits, safety outcomes and service standards improve.”
While the industry often focuses on the transition to electric vehicles, Xpress emphasizes that the “human element” remains the most critical variable in road safety.
“Vehicles do not determine service quality. Training, discipline, and employment stability do,” the company added. By integrating professional development with a stable compensation structure, Xpress aims to restore passenger confidence and set a new benchmark for sustainable urban mobility in Metro Manila.
