I think there are many questions buzzing across the internet since the announcement of the Grab-Uber merger. I emailed Grab as I have some questions myself, and here are the answers.
Before we begin, Grab actually created a microsite on their website to further clear the clouds of doubt on what is going to happen to Uber’s drivers and users. I highly recommend you to check the microsite here.
As for the questions that I asked, it ranged from the corporate itself down to the drivers and also the prices. Here are the unaltered questions and answers from Grab Malaysia.
How will Grab ensure a smooth transition for Uber users and drivers? Will they be offered to be absorbed by Grab or have to re-register?
Our priority is to continue serving our passengers and drivers and minimise any disruption for them. Passengers can download the app and register themselves while drivers who wish to join Grab will have to sign up.
As for drivers’ accounts, the Uber service will be merged with Grab and Uber drivers can decide whether to sign up to drive with Grab. Their Uber account information will be transferred to Grab upon notice, and they will be informed on how to sign up as a Grab driver.
More information on the transition process for passengers and drivers can be found at the here.
What about the Uber employees? Will at least some of them be working for Grab now?
Grab will be having conversations with all +500 Uber employees on how they would fit into Grab. In the meantime, all Uber employees are on paid leave. We are committed to try and find everyone a home at Grab.
We have faith that many of Uber’s employees are as committed to improving the lives of people in Southeast Asia as we are. We look forward to welcoming them to the Grab family.
There are still many users who use Uber since it has became a household name for ride-hailing. How will Grab spread the news to ensure all citizens know of this change?
We have reached out to all our drivers and passengers via the in-app, EDMs and also social postings to communicate the change. We believe Uber has similarly done the same.
Will Grab have a shift in prices? Will there be more promotions?
There are no immediate plans to raise fare prices. As a marketplace, raising prices would be damaging to passengers but will benefit drivers in the short term. In the long run, increasing rates will dissuade users from using the platform and bring down demand for e-hailing services, which will ultimately cause drivers to lose orders.
That being said, market conditions like regulation or decreasing car or fuel prices may cause Grab to adjust prices to be fair to both our passengers and drivers.
I think that Grab is doing good as they’re considering where all the Uber employees would fit into the new combine organization after the Grab-Uber merger. Grab did say that they’re “committed to try and find everyone a home at Grab” and these employees are on “paid leave” now.
As for the drivers, here is what Grab has to say.
Grab will be contacting and helping Uber drivers through the onboarding process with Grab so that all drivers can continue to drive as usual after Uber service ends on 8 April 2018. Drivers can decide whether to sign up to drive with Grab. We welcome Uber drivers to join the Grab family!
There will be zero changes in the benefits and incentives structure for drivers, and Grab did say that the drivers’ earnings will not be affected.
As a customer, you’ll have to download the Grab app right now. The Uber app will only function until 8th April 2018, and then the service will be terminated. Also, Grab says that there will be no changes in fare charges. As for our account information, Grab said this:
Data that you previously shared with Uber (excluding payment information) will be transferred to Grab, but it will not be visible in the Grab app. If you are new to Grab, we will still need you to register your account with us to start riding.
But what about Uber Eats? Grab did answer this question as well – but it’s a little obscure. Uber Eats will also be absorbed by Grab and rebranded to become GrabFood – a food delivery platform that will soon be launched. Until then, Uber Eats will still function as per usual. Grab says the transition from Uber Eats to become GrabFood will complete by the month of May. Prices on GrabFood are expected to be the same as Uber Eats.
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