Lalamove, one of the leading on-demand, app-based logistics platforms in the Philippines, aims to double its 10,000 licensed TNVS drivers for its car-hailing service, Lalamove Ride, by June this year amid robust demand.
Trisha Apostol, marketing manager of Lalamove Philippines, said Tuesday that the company has onboarded around 10,000 licensed TNVS drivers for Lalamove Ride since January last year. Overall, Lalamove has about 35,000 active driver-partners, largely composed of motorcycle and four-wheel delivery vehicle operators.
TNVS or Transportation Network Vehicle Service refers to accredited ride-hailing vehicles (cars, taxis, or motorcycles) operating through mobile apps. It is regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Robust demand
Apostol said the company needs to catch up with rising demand, noting that bookings for its ride-hailing service tripled during the Christmas and Valentine’s Day periods following its launch in January 2025.
The ride-hailing feature, integrated into the Lalamove app, is designed to give drivers more earning opportunities.
This is done because at the core of its supply strategy is driver stability, particularly the type of income they can generate from the platform.
She added that Lalamove’s strong parcel delivery volume has helped maintain a steady supply of riders while also attracting new TNVS-licensed drivers.
With the addition of ride-hailing services, drivers now have more flexibility and diversified income sources.
The expansion into ride-hailing also reflects industry trends, as other platforms offer similar services.
“It’s about keeping up with the times and offering drivers flexibility in ride-hailing,” she said.
According to Apostol, demand remains high but largely comes from existing app users, highlighting the need to increase public awareness of the new ride-hailing feature.
The service is accessible within the same Lalamove app. Users can toggle between booking a delivery and booking a car ride.
Drivers who sign up are activated for both delivery and ride services. Through the driver app, they can view both types of orders and choose which to accept at any given time.
“At any time, you can choose, do I want to take, let’s say this afternoon, do I want to take the ride orders or do I want to take the delivery orders,” she explained.
Lalamove’s advantage over competitors lies in its stable parcel delivery volume, while competitors remain stronger in the ride-hailing segment.
“So, it will depend on the driver’s preference. Right now, we see that we are able to retain the drivers who are really interested with delivery credibility and the stability of our orders,” she added.
Beyond its steady delivery volume, Lalamove is also studying incentive schemes similar to those offered by competitors to attract more drivers.
The company is likewise exploring ways to increase the number of green vehicles in its fleet, which currently account for less than five percent of its sedan units. One option under consideration is partnering with electric vehicle distributors to provide discounts for drivers purchasing EVs.
Expansion Plans
Lalamove currently operates across Metro Manila, extending to Pampanga and Subic. The company plans to further expand in Pampanga depending on the number of drivers with TNVS permits.
It is also looking to strengthen operations in Cebu, where ride-hailing driver sign-ups have been slower.
Apostol said Lalamove is working with local government units, particularly mayors, to boost awareness campaigns. She noted that Cebu has a different pace of digital adoption.
Many drivers still rely on offline sources of information, such as their barangay captains, she said. Local government units are also very active in information dissemination, she added.
