Grab to impose 30-cent platform fee for rides from Dec 18

Ride-hailing company Grab announced that it will start charging a platform fee of 30 cents for rides booked through its platform beginning Dec 18. 

The fee, inclusive of goods and services tax, will apply to all Grab rides except those of the GrabHitch and GrabResponse services, Grab said on Friday (Dec 11).

On its website, Grab said that the fee will go towards “funding initiatives” to make rides better, safer and more secure for both its passengers and drivers.

According to the firm, two-third of the fee will be used to improve aspects such as safety and security. The remainder will go towards initiatives to support drivers, including benefits and training allowances.

“The platform fee will enable Grab to continue to provide quality transport service to our passengers and driver-partners alike,” said Grab. 

“It will help to cover operational costs in areas including safety features, and will also enable us to introduce more product and service improvements in the future.”

The move comes after the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore lifted a two-year freeze on Grab’s pricing policies and driver commission rates.