Why it matters
The Philippine-grown platform transformed Boracay’s chaotic transport landscape through e-trike deployments, app-based rides, and partnerships with local drivers and LGUs. In doing so, it reduced congestion, enhanced commerce flow, and created digital income streams for local drivers.
“You don’t just drop tech into an island. You co-design with the people who live there,” a senior Xpress official said.
Driving the news
Riding on its Boracay momentum, Xpress is working with the Palawan provincial government and municipal LGUs to co-create inclusive mobility programs. These aim to:
Digitally onboard local tricycle and multicab drivers
Extend app-based ride services to underserved barangays
Ease congestion in tourism hotspots
Align operations with Palawan’s sustainability goals
What sets it apart
Unlike plug-and-play ride-hailing models, Xpress adapts to each island’s unique rhythms—from ferry arrivals to resort transfers—offering route optimization, bundled tourist rides, and optional hotel or ferry integrations, all within one app.
The big picture
The Palawan launch is poised to boost island accessibility, streamline tourist movement, and expand livelihood options for locals, without compromising the province’s ecological integrity.
What’s next
Xpress will roll out services in phases, prioritizing Coron and El Nido ahead of the 2025 peak travel season. Puerto Princesa follows with broader integrations and scaled driver training.
“When transport becomes smarter, everything moves better—economies, experiences, and equity,” the company added.
Xpress Super App is an affiliate of Cebuana Lhuillier, the country's largest non-bank financial services provider, created through a joint venture with App Factorie, a leading cross-platform app development firm. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
