Malaysia based taxi booking app MyTeksi, which is also known as GrabTaxi in Singapore, has just announced a new service for riders: it is now offering a premium car ride service called GrabCar. Riders can now enjoy a limousine service without the hassle of ownership. This new service provides the same safety standard and convenience that is similar with MyTeksi and GrabTaxi.
In case you are unfamiliar with MyTeksi and GrabTaxi, it is a simple taxi booking app where you can enter your pick up location and request for taxis to pick you up. The added convenience of the taxi booking app is that you can have a live view of where you taxi is. The app also allows you to check your taxi booking history as well as rate your experience with your taxi driver.
In Malaysia where this taxi booking mobile application originates from, the “MyTeksi” brand is used. However, the “GrabTaxi” brand is used regionally, in Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.
Also read: Uber Singapore adds new “UberXL” to its fleet; targets families and party goers
GrabCar operates on the same mobile application platform as MyTeksi, ensuring a seamless experience for customers wanting the choice of booking taxis or limousine services.
“What has ensured MyTeksi’s success regionally has been the ability to adapt and evolve to meet our user’s needs. That’s why we are introducing GrabCar. We see an opportunity to fill a gap in the industry without taking away business from our core user base of taxis. GrabCar will give our passengers that upmarket, personalised experience, while at the same time, ensuring safe and reliable rides,” said MyTeksi Founder and Group CEO Anthony Tan.
Tan added, “GrabCar is essentially a complementary service provided by MyTeksi. We found that there are times throughout the day when it is almost
impossible for our customers to get taxis. Unfortunately, in this region, there is a ceiling on the number of taxi permits issued. GrabCar provides more cars on the road when people really need them, especially during peak hours. The inclusion of GrabCar as part of the MyTeksi service offers our customers access to a wider network of taxis, as well as limousine fleets.”
“We are currently working with several fleet partners to provide a network of cars within the next several months. Also, we learnt that there are many potential passengers who refuse to use a taxi. With GrabCar, NEW passengers who wouldn’t have considered us before will try the app,” said Tan.
“GrabCar provides passengers in Malaysia with all of the perks of car ownership, minus the hassles. We deliver you from doorstep to doorstep so that you don’t have to worry about parking and stressful driving conditions in KL – simply leave the driving to us. Also, safety remains our biggest priority – backed by the same safety promise as MyTeksi, we work closely with our partners to thoroughly screen drivers,” said GrabCar General Manager, Nina Teng.
Kakiseni President Low Ngai Yuen, a Malaysian based in Kuala Lumpur, shared that MyTeksi made it safer for women to take taxis.
“MyTeksi has done a wonderful job of revamping the taxi industry. What was once a dreaded experience has turned into a safe and reliable one. With the
addition of GrabCar, commuters get a more premium service that is backed by MyTeksi’s brand promise of safety and reliability,” she said.
To make a booking, passengers select “GrabCar” as their “car type” in the MyTeksi app. They will know the exact fare of their journey prior to confirming
their GrabCar booking and payment is in cash.
GrabCar is very similar to Uber, the on demand limousine app we covered extensively on Vulcan Post. Uber also allows you to flag down drivers to your pick up location, and promises a luxury ride for you. It also has a more affordable version which is called the UberX. With the launch of GrabCar, it is not only competing against Uber for passengers, but is also battling for drivers in the same way as Uber – by approaching livery car owners and persuading them to sign up.
Uber is already operational in 21 Asia-Pacific cities, including the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. GrabTaxi on the other hand, is operating in the capital cities in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Bangkok, and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, not the capital Hanoi).
Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Taxi booking apps in Singapore
