GrabShare returns as trial from Jan 16 to 29, available at 7 locations from 5pm to 11pm

Grab’s carpooling service will make a return from Jan 16 to 29 as a trial, the ride-hailing platform announced on Tuesday (Jan 10). 

Called GrabShare BETA, it will be available at seven locations – Downtown Core, Outram, River Valley, Singapore River, Marina Bay, One-North and Buona Vista – from 5pm to 11pm. 

The locations and timing were chosen as these are “peak periods where demand is high”. 

Fares will be “up to 20 per cent cheaper” than the usual JustGrab rides. 

The service was previously suspended in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to its suspension, GrabShare allowed passengers to share rides with others heading in the same direction as them with no “unnecessary detours”.

The carpooling service would result in reduced traffic congestion and faster trips for passengers, according to Grab.

The trial coincides with the Chinese New Year period, when there are typically less drivers available and higher surge pricing. Grab said that the service will make “more rides available and at more affordable rates”. 

Only cashless payments will be allowed during the trial. 

Just one passenger will be allowed per booking, and there will only be a maximum of two bookings per shared ride. Riders are also advised to allow for up to seven minutes after booking for the “best match”. If there are no matches, riders will be prompted to book a JustGrab ride instead.

The three-minute grace waiting period and cancellation fee after a successful match still applies for this service, said Grab.

Commuters will be dropped off according to their drop-off location, not in the order in which they were picked up.

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) cost will also be borne by riders. In FAQs about the service on its website, Grab said that if the car passes through an ERP gantry en route to picking up a matched passenger, the rider will incur the full ERP charge. However, if both riders are on the ride while the vehicle passes through an ERP gantry, the charge will be split equally.