State of TNVS in the Metros
TNVS (Transportation Network Vehicle Service) or commonly known as ride-hailing service is a big industry in the transport sector especially in the metros. Angkas, Grab, Move-it etc all started in Metro Manila. Some logically expands to other metro areas like Metro Cebu, Metro Davao. These are dense cities with huge demand for transport service. Grab by far has the biggest coverage and already service several key cities as follows:
Just last year, LTFRB approved several new players bringing the total to 19 – most of which are in Metro Manila only. In this article, I want to explore several expansion options for these TNVS outside of the Metros. I will use Inquiro’s own marketscan data to reveal the current state and potential future of TNVS in the Philippines.
The Metros
TNVS starts in Metro Manila for obvious reasons: dense population with ability to spend, ease of doing business, huge volume of commuters, etc.
How’s TNVS doing in Metro Manila in 2025?
Metro Manila
Young adult comprises the highest share of TNVS users in Metro Manila at around 31%. Three times that coming from students. Students often rely on cheaper traditional public transport vehicles like jeepneys, buses etc. The demand is there but young adults are often employed and have money to spend for TNVS.
Around 35% from our sample in Metro Manila used a TNVS service in May 2025. The highest concentration is in Mandaluyong, at 46%. Highly urbanized cities like Makati, Pasig, and Manila are above 40%. CAMANAVA area has noticeably lower concentration of users, hovering around 33%. Navotas had the lowest user percentage at only 31%.
Metro Cebu
Metro Cebu has a slightly higher TNVS share from students at 17%, and lower share from older generation. The same thing can be said about young adult, students, and relative affluence.
Cebu City is bigger than all cities in Metro Manila, with less dense population. Metro Cebu by extension is big, and so full coverage is a challenge. Only Mandaue and Cebu City has at least 30% TNVS user from sample.
Adjacent cities like Minglanila, Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, Consolacion, and Liloan doesnt trail far and sits around 28%. The number drops off significantly north of Liloan and South of Minglanila. Carcar has the lowest at 14%.
Metro Davao
Metro Davao has the biggest chunk of TNVS users as students at 20%. Middle aged adults share less of the TNVS users. This can be attributed to several factors. First, older Davaoenos have lower preference for TNVS, move much less thus low demand, less likely to own smartphone altogether, and more. We can measure movement with our GPS data. Visit our website frequently to get updated when that article comes our.
Davao is the biggest of the 3 metros. Leading to longer travel distances as compared to the other Metros. In our article before, Night-time Mobility, we saw that our sample in Davao City covered the biggest activity space at night. On average, people in Davao City covers a distance comparable to the size of a footfball field. Whereas our sample then in Makati, on average only covers the size of a gas station. Our analysis was simple, Makati is a more connected city, you dont have to travel very far to get to where you want – convenient stores, restaurants, fast foods chains, are everywhere. This is where TNVS comes in for Davao City, even online delivery services.
TNVS is a growing business in the country, espcially in the metros. Metro Manila is at the center of this development, with highly urbanized areas like Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasig leading the charge. Metro Cebu offers a great opportunity for expansion, followed by Metro Davao.
Our transportation woes has induced a demand for more convenient ways to commute. TNVS is here to fill that demand.
Inquiro offers mobility data through footfall, explore our GPS powered solutions and contact us!
