Singapore’s ride–hailing mobile app, Grab, will launch its Grab Bike motorcycle taxi service across Mandalay at the start of 2018.
“We will guarantee security for those who use this service,” the Myanmar Times onTuesday quoted Amrt Sagar, country manager of Grab Bike Myanmar, as saying.
Around 70 Grab Bike motorcyclists have given the service a trial run in Mandalay this year. Grab Bike motorcyclists, who are the equivalent of Grab drivers, will easily be recognised in green jerkins and helmets. Like Grab’s taxi service, customers will book a motorcycle and be notified of the exact fare for each trip via the Grab Bike app on their mobile phones.
“Customers can book the nearest Grab Bike motorcyclist using the Grab Bike app, which will show the exact route taken from point A to B. The drivers cannot ask for any additional fares from their customers,” Sagar said.
“We have collected the data of the motorcyclists for the sake of the customers’ security. We can also check the routes. We know the whole trip. If any problems occur, we will take responsibility and address the problem,” he added.
“The Grab Bike option is very good for customers as we will grant accident insurance for every trip. The service will cover the whole city at the start of 2018.”
Grab, which was founded in Singapore, first entered Myanmar in March with the launch of its ride-hailing taxi service in Yangon. Mandalay will represent the company’s expansion into a second city in the country.
He added that Grab Bike is negotiating for all motorcycle taxi drivers in Mandalay to use its app.
“If they use Grab Bike, motorcyclists will not need to hunt or wait for passengers as they can locate and pick up passengers near them and make more money. Passengers will be more assured of their safety when they see a Grab Bike driver as well,” said Nay Myo, a motorcycle taxi driver from Pyi Gyi Tagun township.