Now, this commuter experience doesn’t have to be limited to just an arrangement among colleagues or neighbours.
Thanks to GrabHitch, carpooling is now possible for anyone to arrange, as long as they are all heading on the same route.
And with this latest service from the Grab ride-sharing platform, drivers stand to gain financially as well.
FMT spoke to drivers on their experience since they started providing rides to fellow city-dwellers via GrabHitch.
Adeline Oh, 31, said that apart from earning an extra income, she realised that another way to reduce the traffic was by carpooling.
“There are too many vehicles with just the driver, and no passengers with them, and this is causing traffic congestion on the roads.
“Since this opportunity had opened up, I thought why not give it a try,” she told FMT.
Oh, who works as a motion designer, said that she drives daily from Klang to her work place in Kuala Lumpur.
“My routes are quite wide, so I can pick up people from Shah Alam or Subang on my way to work.
“I use to spend RM300 monthly for petrol and now I don’t have to fork out anything because I can cover my fuel expenses with GrabHitch.”
Another GrabHitch driver Ken Chan, 50, who works as a real estate agent said GrabHitch is a good way to network and meet people.
“I go out daily to meet clients all over the Klang Valley, so why not make some extra cash to cover my petrol expenses.
“I enjoy doing this, because it’s free and easy and follows my own schedule.”
GrabHitch driver Ikwan Nazri Asran, 31, who works as an editor for a media agency said he does it to offset his travelling cost to and from work.
“I bought my car last year and this year when I had to renew my road tax in October, I managed to make enough to settle it.
“I try to do it religiously so that I can make enough to pay my bills and get to know more people.”
Grab launched GrabHitch in June, as a cheaper carpooling option that matches drivers and passengers travelling the same route at the same time.
Regular GrabHitch user Syazana Othman, 28, who runs an online business said that she prefers to use GrabHitch, rather than having to drive around.
“I find it easier to travel because I can plan ahead and there is no hassle of traffic jams and the stress of having to look for parking.”
Another user Sarah Mohamed Hapa, 29, who also has her own online business, said GrabHitch helps her to plan her routes and costs of travelling as she doesn’t have a car.
“I prefer GrabHitch because it’s cost effective when I have to travel to meet my clients.
“GrabHitch is also a good way to meet other passengers. There are about 15 fellow passengers I met and with whom I have now become Facebook friends.”
Grab operations and community manager Kimberly Xavier said currently GrabHitch is having a promotion where, users can book trips to Malacca and Penang at a flat rate.
“It’s RM20 to travel to Malacca and RM40 to travel to Penang for a single trip. However, users will have to book their trip at least two days in advance and the travel is only limited to weekends.”
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