Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
In photo (from left) are Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines (TMSPH) chief operating officer Ryo Yokoyama, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Foundation president Jose Maria Aligada, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) chairman of Administration Dr. Ericson Berberabe, PGH Outpatient Department chairman Dr. Esther Saguil, PGH director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) Program general manager Nanako Kumamoto, TMSPH president Cristina Arevalo, and Deloitte Future of Mobility partner Yasuyuki Murakami with the three Toyota Tamaraw UV-based shuttles that will be used for the HEAL shuttle service.
The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMP Foundation), and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) proudly announce the launch of the Shuttle Service component of the groundbreaking Healthcare Mobility for All (“HEAL”) Program. This innovative initiative aims to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for PGH healthcare professionals—especially during late-night and early-morning shifts when commuting options are scarce and unpredictable.
For many dedicated healthcare workers in Manila, traveling during off-peak hours can be a daunting challenge—long travel times, limited transportation choices, and safety concerns often add to their daily stresses. Despite these hurdles, PGH staff remain committed to serving their patients with unwavering dedication. The Shuttle Service is designed to ease their journeys, ensuring safer, more dependable, and less stressful commutes so they can focus on what matters most—patient care.
The program will operate three Tamaraw UV-based Toyota shuttles along the most critical routes for PGH employees, Fairview, Paliparan, and SM Dasma via Aguinaldo. These routes are among the busiest for staff commuting during late-night and early-morning hours, when transportation options are most limited. Each shuttle, with a capacity of 12 passengers, is scheduled to make at least two trips daily: one to bring staff home after their late-night shifts and another to ensure they arrive reliably for early-morning duties.
Running from September 2025 through December 2026, this initiative promises to significantly improve the quality of daily commutes for PGH personnel. By focusing on routes with the highest demand, the Shuttle Service prioritizes those who need it most—healthcare workers on critical shifts—ensuring their journeys are safer, smoother, and more predictable.
Looking ahead, the program will be further enhanced with a smart booking system, allowing riders to reserve seats in advance via a user-friendly digital platform. This innovative feature will streamline the reservation process, improve route efficiency, and contribute to reduced emissions through optimized pooling of riders.
Over the course of the program, it is projected to facilitate tens of thousands of safe and reliable commutes. Additional benefits include decreased travel times, lower emissions, and increased safety and convenience for healthcare professionals—ultimately supporting their vital role in patient care.
The Shuttle Service is made possible through a strategic partnership with Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines (TMSPH) as the mobility partner, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) as the engagement partner, and Deloitte’s Future of Mobility Solution Centre as the development and implementation partner.
Remarks from Key Stakeholders:
Mr. Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director of Toyota Mobility Foundation, emphasized:
“Through our bespoke Shuttle Services, we are providing greater opportunity for healthcare professionals to focus on their vital role of patient care, while addressing the burden of inconvenient and inefficient commutes.”
Mr. Jose Maria Aligada, President of Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, added:
“This initiative exemplifies the synergy between the TMP Foundation’s ‘Mobility+’ and ‘Health’ pillars, demonstrating how smart, connected, and shared technologies can create a greater positive impact in the health sector and, ultimately, improve the overall quality of life for Filipinos.”
Mr. Jose Maria Aligada, President of Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation
Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, Director of Philippine General Hospital, affirmed:
“The Shuttle Service makes a tangible difference for our staff by providing a safe and dependable way to travel, especially during off-peak hours.”
Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, Director of Philippine General Hospital,
This collaborative effort underscores a shared commitment to advancing healthcare and mobility solutions that truly make a difference in the lives of Filipino healthcare workers and the communities they serve.