Go‑Jek Brings New Hope to Singapore Drivers
The Indonesian ride‑hailing giant, Go‑Jek, has opened a pre‑registration portal on Monday, Oct 29. Within hours, thousands of private‑hire car drivers from Singapore signed up to be part of the platform that’s slated to go live by the end of next month. The company’s spokesman, who preferred to stay anonymous, shared that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and that the anticipation is “just huge.”
What Drivers are Saying
- Johnson Koh, a 46‑year‑old Grab driver, joined immediately. “We’re working 12‑18 hour shifts to keep the income up, yet Grab pays less than Uber would have when it left Singapore,” he told The New Paper. He added that canceling a ride locks a driver out of the Grab app, which feels unfair when they’re still paying for their vehicle every day.
- In a Facebook poll carried out by the Singapore Private Hire Car Drivers & Riders Community group, 86 % of 1,200 respondents preferred Go‑Jek over Grab if they had to choose.
- One driver, who wished to remain anonymous as “Mr Mohamed,” noted that Grab offers slightly lower pay but values transparency. “Grab tells me the final destination and my exact earnings, which is a relief that Uber never did,” he said.
Industry Reaction
Grab’s Singapore chief, Lim Kell Jay, admitted there is driver dissatisfaction and that the company is ready to take on more changes. Grab logs its support of the new regulatory framework that will outlaw exclusive driver arrangements and keep the market open.
After being fined $6.42 million by Singapore’s competition watchdog for merging with Uber, Grab’s leadership is keeping an eye on how competitors might shake up the scene.
Academic Insights
- Prof. Lawrence Loh from the National University of Singapore Business School explained that Go‑Jek’s pre‑registration strategy is essential to quickly create a driver mass, giving the platform a flying start in a new market.
- Transport economist Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences warned that while Go‑Jek’s aggressive incentives may surge quickly, the market is “winner‑takes‑all.” In the long run, a single dominant player may eventually emerge.
- Both scholars underscored the pivotal role of drivers in any ride‑hailing ecosystem. “No drivers = no business,” came the clear verdict from Prof. Loh.
As Go‑Jek gears up to launch in Singapore, private‑hire drivers are watching closely. Will the new platform turn the tide in their favor, or will competition reign in the end? Only time—and a few clutch rides—will tell.
