BUTUAN CITY — Getting around the regional center of Caraga could soon become more convenient and affordable as Maxim Rides & Food Delivery introduces its new car transportation services in Butuan City, giving residents and tourists more options for reaching their destinations without worrying about unpredictable fare increases caused by traffic.
With base fares starting at just ₱65, the new service offers an alternative for commuters, families, and visitors exploring Butuan and its surrounding tourist destinations. The expansion also strengthens the city’s growing transportation options as it continues to serve as an important gateway to some of Mindanao’s popular travel destinations.
Passengers can now choose between two vehicle categories: the four-seater Car service, with a base fare of ₱65, and the six-seater option, starting at ₱75. Both categories feature air-conditioned vehicles operated by legally operating driver-partners.
One of the service’s key features is its upfront fare calculation. Passengers can see the fare after entering their pickup and destination addresses through the Maxim application. Once displayed, the quoted fare remains unchanged regardless of traffic conditions, giving customers greater certainty when budgeting for their trips.
For commuters navigating the city’s busy streets, families traveling together, and tourists unfamiliar with local routes, the fixed-fare arrangement could offer a more predictable way to plan daily journeys.
“These new rates give Butuan residents more flexibility in choosing a car service that suits their travel needs. We also aim to create more earning opportunities for local driver-partners while helping meet the city’s transportation needs,” said Reynante Santos, Head of Maxim Butuan.
More transportation choices, more earning opportunities
Beyond providing another option for passengers, Maxim’s entry into the city’s car transportation market also opens opportunities for local vehicle owners seeking additional sources of income.
Vehicle owners can register on the platform as driver-partners, with commission rates ranging from 5% to 18%. The platform also allows drivers to determine their own working schedules, making it possible to use the service as either a primary livelihood or a supplementary income source.
This flexible arrangement could attract individuals who want to maximize the earning potential of their vehicles while maintaining control over their working hours.
Safety features built into every booking
While affordability and convenience are central to the new service, Maxim also highlights its in-app safety features designed to provide passengers and drivers with greater transparency and communication throughout their trips.
Before a journey begins, passengers can view their assigned driver’s information and vehicle details through the booking screen, helping them identify the correct vehicle and driver.
The application also displays the vehicle’s location and trip route on a map, allowing passengers to monitor their journey. In addition, drivers and passengers can communicate directly through the platform without exchanging personal phone numbers.
For emergency situations, both parties have access to an SOS button that connects them with Maxim’s support team.
These features are intended to make booking and completing trips more secure while reducing the need to disclose personal contact information.
Butuan joins Maxim’s expanding Philippine network
Maxim’s latest expansion brings its car transportation services to another major Mindanao city, adding Butuan to a growing Philippine network that already includes Cebu, Manila, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Iloilo, Iligan, General Santos, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Ormoc, and Bacolod, among other locations.
The company entered the Philippine market in 2020, beginning operations in Cebu. Since then, it has expanded into numerous cities, offering transportation, delivery, and other services through its digital platform.
Maxim operates under a Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) license and uses technology to connect passengers with drivers, process bookings, and facilitate everyday transportation and delivery needs.
Its passenger-facing Maxim application and Taxsee Driver application serve as the primary digital platforms for customers and driver-partners.
With the introduction of its car services, Butuan residents and visitors can now access another transportation option through Maxim, complementing the company’s existing delivery operations in the city.
As Butuan continues to develop its role as a commercial, transportation, and tourism hub in northeastern Mindanao, the arrival of additional app-based mobility services could help broaden passenger choices while creating new opportunities for local drivers.
For passengers, the immediate attraction is straightforward: air-conditioned rides, upfront fares, multiple seating options, and digital safety features, with base rates beginning at ₱65.