Quietly but surely ‘can bid fare’ inDrive is giving ‘fixed fare’ Grab, other e-hailers a run for their money

 

MALAYSIA’S only fare bidding e-hailer, inDrive, is seemingly getting positive reviews from e-hailing drivers and passengers who are receptive of its fare bidding system despite Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook having stated recently that the relevant authorities have never approved a price bidding system for e-hailing operators.

Whatever the case is, inDrive which was previously known as inDriver has become a disruptive force in the country’s e-hailing market especially with voice of discontent growing over the excessive ‘fixed’ fare charged by especially e-hailing giant Grab coupled with the notion that a ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ arrangement augurs well for both the drivers and passengers.

As shared by social media influencer YB𝕏 (@ybperpaduan), inDrive has been operating in Malaysia for four years with 2024 marking the 11th year of its global operations across 749 cities in 46 countries.

According to @officialwisermy (Malaysian gadget and digital platform commentator), inDrive is the world’s second most downloaded e-hailing app in 2023.

“inDrive is marketed as a ‘wallet friendly’ e-hailer for it is said that it opposes injustice due to its fare bidding feature,” YBX pointed out. “But some e-hailing users still prefer inDrive primarily because of its low fare and features which enable passengers to choose a driver based on rating, car model and pick up time”.

Interestingly, there are currently more than 30 registered e-hailing service providers in Malaysia, including debutant My-Ride

As Malaysians are getting accustomed to its fare bidding system, inDrive’s government relations head (Southeast Asia) Naufal Fauzi has recently paid a courtesy call to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to share its unique bidding system approach which empower both passengers and drivers with the freedom to negotiate service terms on its platform.

Gobind Singh Deo (second from left) with inDrive’s government relations head (Southeast Asia) Naufal Fauzi (second from left) (Image credit: Gobind Singh Deo Facebook)

In a media statement, inDrive Malaysia shared that the following points were addressed during the discussion:

• inDrive was founded on the core principle of “Fighting Injustice” in the e-hailing industry. To this day, inDrive’s app commission does not exceed 10% (Grab’s commission is in excess of 20%), hence encouraging drivers to maximise their earnings while maintaining competitive prices for e-hailing users.
• inDrive consistently operates with approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). In fact, inDrive has secured a licence renewal for its services until June 2026 (a two-year renewal). This achievement is a result of inDrive’s commitment and excellent track record in adhering to all regulations set by the government.
• inDrive reiterated its commitment to constant alignment with Malaysia’s robust digital entrepreneurship ecosystem supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Digital Ministry. – Focus Malaysia