On Friday (17 May), Grab announced the rollout of an updated driver app that aims to help driver-partners “earn more and save more” through four components: Discover, GrabBenefits, Earnings Overview, and Driver Profile.
This update comes as Grab takes it upon themselves to go beyond for the wellbeing of their drivers, who “work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families”.
Head of Grab Singapore, Wee Tang Yee, added that the refreshed app is one of the steps forward in providing driver-partners more earning opportunities and benefits at Grab.
The new features are progressively being made available to all Grab driver-partners across Southeast Asia.
In Singapore, selected drivers today already have access to the Discover Hub and GrabBenefits features, and will also be able to enjoy the enhanced Earnings Overview and Driver Profile features in the coming months.
Grab Is Adding Value To Drivers
Based on feedback from Grab’s driver-partners, the updates are set to address their top requests, fulfill their biggest needs, and offer a more rewarding on-the-job experience.
Discover Hub
This feature helps drivers find more earning opportunities outside of driving, especially with their growing ecosystem, Grab stated.
For example, Grab drivers in Singapore can earn additional income through GrabAds, either by using their cars as a mobile billboard or through in-car engagements.
There’s also a feed that displays information such as heat maps and events taking place nearby so drivers can reduce their idle time and better make use of their time on the road.
GrabBenefits
This is a new section introduced by Grab that lets drivers easily browse and redeem discounts, deals, and rewards exclusive to them through the Grab app.
Drivers can find fuel discounts that can go up to 30%, mobile phone plan discounts, healthcare and dental benefits, among others.
Earnings Overview
Grab explains that this tab gives drivers greater clarity and better insights into their earnings as they can view their daily and weekly earnings.
Drivers can also see a detailed breakdown of their income from fares, incentives, tips, and deductions for commissions.
Driver Profile
Described as “[a] fun and engaging profile page”, this enhanced feature in the app displays drivers’ achievements like compliment badges, and feedback from passengers and a breakdown of their rating.
With the information, the app also helps drivers find out areas of improvement and make the most of passenger feedback.
This feature celebrates their good job done, which in turn motivates drivers to do better.
A More Approachable Approach
“We want our driver-partners to know that we have their backs. We offer the most comprehensive driver welfare and benefits programme in Singapore, which includes scholarships and bursaries for our driver-partners’ children, health and dental benefits, Medisave co-contribution, mobile phone plan discounts, and more,” Wee said in the statement.
“We’ve pioneered standards for driver-partner welfare that others have followed, but we believe we can raise the benchmark even more. We will keep innovating and keep improving because we know that the better we get, the better their everyday life.”
Grab’s media release also listed out a number of improvements for its driver-partners this year, including:
- Driver safety toolkit: Allows drivers to share their live location and an alert button that will connect them with a security company in cases of emergency.
- Tipping: Lets drivers be rewarded for providing great service.
- Automated ERP input: Drivers no longer need to worry about keying in ERP charges.
- Prolonged Medical Leave insurance: Covers eligible driver-partners under the Emerald Circle programme for lost earnings due to illness and injuries.
As the ride-hailing space in Singapore heats up, with the entrances of Gojek and most recently, Vietnam’s FastGo, Grab’s additional improvements to the driver-partner experience may be seen as a retention method.
It’s a breath of fresh air compared to past costly poaching exercises and the anxiety-inducing tiered incentives for drivers.
By introducing perks exclusive to Grab drivers, this lowers drivers’ sentiments of having to rely on other ride-hailing apps to sustain their earnings.
This in turn could make drivers want to stay and be loyal to Grab even if other ride-hailing firms offer seemingly better benefits.
Featured Image Credit: Reuters