Commuters cry foul over sharp spike in e-hailing prices amid traffic woes

 

E-hailing users have taken to social media to vent their frustration over soaring ride fares, with some reporting rates several times higher than usual in recent days. — STR/HARI ANGGARA

KUALA LUMPUR: E-hailing users have taken to social media to vent their frustration over soaring ride fares, with some reporting rates several times higher than usual in recent days.

On Threads, one user shared that a ride that used to cost her less than RM10 had increased to RM27.

"The fare has been crazy for the past three days. At the same time, leaving home in the morning, what used to cost me RM7-8 per ride has become RM27. I wonder what's happening.

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"Is it Chinese New Year-related? Fewer drivers? Or more passengers leaving home at 6.50am every day?" she wrote.

Another user also claimed her rides now cost twice as much as usual.

"The ride is getting expensive. Previously, it was only RM6, but now it has become RM14."

Another user said her non-peak-hour ride usually costs RM8, while during peak hours it ranges between RM12 and RM15.

"I use e-hailing every day from the MRT to my house, every day. So I know the daily fare for a distance of less than 2km. Today, the fare was RM21."

On the same platform, another user, who had been using e-hailing services for years, claimed that for the past two weeks, her ride fares had increased to almost four to five times the usual rate.

"I do not mind paying more when it is justified, such as during peak hours or high demand. However, the recent fares feel unreasonable and excessive. Today, I booked a ride that normally costs around RM5, but I was charged RM10," she said.

She added that the assigned driver was 45 minutes away. Since the driver accepted the job, she waited, but the driver was not moving due to heavy traffic on his side.

"It was unfair for both of us, so I cancelled after 30 minutes. When I rebooked, the fare surged to RM20 for the same two-minute trip and this time the driver was already two minutes away.

"There was no traffic from my location to the destination, yet I was charged four times the usual price."

However, some platform users said the surge could be attributed to worsening traffic congestion across the Klang Valley.

"It could be because of the peak hours, festive periods, a shortage of drivers in your area and unusually heavy traffic.

"For example, previously, for a 4km ride, the estimated time of arrival was 10 minutes. Now, for the same distance, the ETA is 45 minutes."

Recently, many have taken to social media to express their frustrations over worsening traffic congestion across the Klang Valley, with many questioning what has caused the sudden spike.

Users across several social media platforms claimed that journeys which would normally take under 30 minutes have recently stretched beyond two hours. - NST