KUCHING: Competitive pricing, easily accessible and security.
These were the top three reasons cited by those who opted for e-hailing services over conventional taxi service.
Bank officer Belle Lau said the e-hailing services offered cheaper prices and that it is easily access via smartphone application.
“Almost everyone have a smart phone and are connected to the internet, thus, we can easily book a driver at our convenience.
“Above all, Uber or Grab car passengers would be advised on the estimated price of our journey, which will save our time and effort to negotiate for best price.
“We know the car plate, the driver’s name and contact number. Hence, my family members prefer such services as they feel it’s more secured.
“They will send information of the driver to their loved ones via WhatsApp, in case anything (bad) happens,” Lau, 28, told the New Straits Times.
Uber and Grab car users, she said, could also enjoy discounts and sometimes free rides as the two e-hailing services providers would frequently hold promotional campaigns.
“It is even cheaper than driving our own car. So, I definitely prefer taking Uber and Grab rather than taxi,” she said.
A pensioner, in his 60s, who only wants to be known as Chai, said he had chosen e-hailing service as he had have bad experiences with conventional taxi services.
“In the past, the taxi drivers had created a negative image for the society, thus, people turn away from them once there’s a better choice.
“I used to get scolded by taxi drivers for wanting to negotiate the price or when I request for them to use meter. Even if there are good ones, it depends on your luck,” he added.
Chai said he had learned to use Grab car and Uber from his children and would usually use the e-hailing services during peak hours.
“It cost me between RM4 and RM5 to go to the nearest shopping mall from the house, which is almost equivalent to the price of parking fees at the complex,” he said.
Voon See Liong said taking a taxi from Sibu airport to the town would usually cost RM40 and RM45.
“With the introduction of Grab in Sibu, I can travel (to town) for between RM28 and RM30 only,” he said.
“In addition, we can file any complaints or rate the drivers via the application. So far, all the drivers I have met were very friendly and polite and I have no issue," he added,
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said the strike by taxi drivers in the state yesterday voicing their frustration over the “encroachment” of Uber and Grab car services reminded him of Finnish multinational communication and technology company, Nokia.
Nokia, said Masing, was once a leading force in the global telecommunication industry but lost its dominance in the industry due to its inability to revolutionise its business.
“If people in the taxi industry are not careful, then the same script to as what happened to Nokia will be re-written.
“They must adopt and change to the needs of today’s customers or else they will soon become irrelevant,” Masing said.
He, however, said if the government’s bureaucracy is making it difficult for taxi drivers to compete with Uber and Grab car services, then efforts should be done to the review such red tapes.