My Experience With Grab In Malaysia
Malaysia taxi drivers have garnered such bad reputation. So much so, that hailing a taxi by the roadside is frowned upon, partly for safety reason.
Didn’t want to trouble my 2nd sis for a lift, I decided to book a taxi via Grab (formerly known as MyTeksi). Hearing that I will be using taxi, mom frets automatically. “Make sure that your driver wears white uniform“, she said … Since when there is white uniform for taxi drivers? My Grab driver later told me that there is no uniform proper. But they are required to wear white shirts, black trousers and black shoes. Sometimes, mom is actually, right 🙂
To re-assure her, I explained about Grab mobile e-hailing application, and how it comes with GPS tracking. I told her that passengers can share their ride tracking link with their family and friends. And I’ll share mine with bf, hoping that she will be assured that bf is able to track my ride with no worries. But nevertheless, I gave her a ring upon reaching my destination, for her peace of mind.
Looking for Grab promo code (to save some moolah), I found this website:
- Promo code of “GCFEB7” to get RM3 off for 5 rides didn’t work
- Promo code “MONKEY” to get RM2 off on your grab car rides did (yay!)
Securing a taxi around 11ish in the morning was rather easy. In no time, my booking was confirmed, and I got an Indian driver. Let’s call him Mr P. I am glad that I got him as my driver, but yet I knew that this would intensify mom’s uneasiness. Stereotype and old (people’s) habits die hard.
It was easy chatting with Mr P. He’s fluent in English and we chat throughout our journey. His taxi is in good condition too.
I was told that Grab no longer had a clear 50/50 split of booking fee system with the drivers. It starts from RM 0.50, with a cap of RM 4.00, depending on mileage.
He told me that business has reduced a lot too, due to few factors: our current economic situation, more diverse product offerings from Grab: such as GrabCar. I also noticed that there are GrabCar (Economy), Teks1M, GrabCar+ (Premium), and Executive Taxi.
I was told that there will be a new player in the market soon, called Jom. He muses about changing, as he is getting less customers via Grab now.
I told Mr P about bf’s recent taxi experience, hailing taxi in front of Sg Wang. Bf suspected that the driver was circling around town. Mr P advised taking down taxi’s registration info, and lodging complaint with Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD), or the Land Public Transport Commission (in English) whenever there are any problems with taxi drivers.
SPAD contact details here:
SPAD Complaint Hotline : 1800-88-SPAD (7723)
Twitters: @aduanSPAD
Email: aduan@spad.gov.my
Website: www.spad.gov.my
You will need to provide your own details: name, IC number (or passport number for foreigners), mailing or email address, contact number, details of the incident, registration number and type of vehicle, the vehicle’s operating company and pictures or video, if possible. That’s a LOT of info! Twitter is like 150 characters, how to fit in all details lah?
Paid altogether RM 16.50 for my ride (15 mins, 6km), including toll and after deducting the RM 2.00 discount. Taxi fare is so goddamn expensive in KL: RM 3.00 for the first km, / 3 minutes and RM 0.10 for every subsequent 115 meter / 21 seconds! Fares based on time limit will be calculated when taxi moves below 20 km/h. An e-receipt was automatically issued, and sent to my registered email address with Grab.
