The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 62,723 road crash incidents in Metro Manila from January to November 2024, highlighting ongoing safety challenges in the capital. In response, Xpress has launched its Driver Excellence Program (DXP) while expanding a salaried driver model that provides full Philippine statutory benefits, including SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions. The company said structured training, defensive driving certification, and formal employment frameworks aim to improve accountability, reduce turnover, and elevate professional standards across taxi and ridesharing operations, strengthening public confidence in urban mobility services. Xpress is accepting limited applications now.

Manila, Philippines — February 2026 — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 62,723 road crash incidents in Metro Manila from January to November 2024, resulting in 332 fatalities, underscoring ongoing safety challenges across the capital’s transport network.

As traffic density and platform-based mobility services expand, Philippine mobility platform Xpress has launched its Driver Excellence Program (DXP) while expanding the deployment of fully salaried drivers receiving statutory Philippine government benefits.

The company said strengthening professional standards and employment structures is essential as urban transport systems grow more complex and as more skilled and college-educated workers enter gig-based mobility services.

“Road safety and workforce stability are interconnected,” Xpress said in a statement. “Urban mobility cannot scale responsibly without disciplined training systems and stable employment structures.”

Structured Safety and Professional Standards

The Driver Excellence Program applies across taxi and ridesharing segments and includes:

Structured onboarding and certification

Defensive driving and road safety modules

Emergency response and incident protocols

Passenger service and conduct standards

Financial literacy and income planning workshops

Continuous performance monitoring and recertification

The company said the initiative is designed to reduce driver turnover, improve compliance with safety practices, and elevate service consistency across its fleet.

Salaried Drivers With Full Government Benefits

In parallel, Xpress confirmed that portions of its fleet operate under a salaried employment model. Drivers under this structure receive full Philippine statutory benefits, including contributions to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund.

The company stated that structured compensation and government-mandated benefits provide income stability while reinforcing accountability and operational discipline.

“Formal employment frameworks strengthen reliability,” Xpress said. “When drivers operate within structured systems of training, evaluation, and benefits, safety outcomes and service standards improve.”

Elevating Transport as a Sustainable Profession

Xpress noted that vehicle modernization and electrification alone cannot address road safety concerns.

“Vehicles do not determine service quality. Training, discipline, and employment stability do,” the company added.

By combining structured professional development with a salaried employment framework in selected fleet segments, Xpress aims to strengthen passenger confidence and support safer, more reliable urban mobility across Metro Manila.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES