Grab Malaysia unveils 4 initiatives to help driver-partners with new regulatory process

Ahead of the new e-hailing regulations which will be enforced from 12 July 2019, Grab Malaysia has put in place various initiatives to help its driver-partners.

In a statement to Human Resources, Grab Malaysia reveals that to make things easier for its driver-partners to adhere to the new regulatory process, four key initiatives have been put in place.

#1 Process mapping For better clarity and in order to reduce confusion, we have mapped out the regulatory process flow into 5 easy-to-follow steps for driver-partners.

#2 Medical subsidy We have partnered with clinics nationwide to bring down the cost of the required medical check to RM20. In addition, Grab will reimburse that amount to driver-partners regardless of which clinics they visit for their medical check.

#3 PSV training subsidy Driver-partners will be provided with an initial RM50 subsidy for their PSV training, as we continue to seek partnerships with selected driving centres to further bring down the training cost for our driver-partners.

#4 Car inspection subsidy We will be fully subsidising the RM70 for initial inspection cost imposed on cars above 3 years old.

Grab Malaysia noted this is just the first phase of the broader Pakej Pikul Bersama initiative which is aimed at providing better clarity and reliable information to help drivers unlock the maze of regulatory processes.

In the statement, Grab Malaysia said: "Despite the challenges of a very short time frame, we intend to bring our driver-partners across the finish line, to continue to access a flexible income opportunity against the burden of newly introduced costs and hurdles."

In addition, the ride-hailing company intends to work with local authorities in the coming months to deliver some of the key promises of the government: to improve the quality and coverage of public transportation and to reduce the burden on the people, by improving income while keeping their transportation costs as low as possible.

According to The Star, the regulations which were announced in July last year include:

• Applying for a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence at driving institutes or eHailing operator (EHO) centres that are approved by the Road Transport Department, starting 1 April 2019.
• Getting initial and annual vehicle checks at Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centres (Puspakom)
• Passing criminal background and medical checks
• Contributing to Socso
• Purchasing a eHailing add-on car insurance
• Equipping their cars with safety equipment including fire extinguishers

The estimated cost to complete the requirements is RM800, including a six-hour training session at driving centres.

Photo / 123RF