Gojek, Grab extend support for driver commission fees to late June

RIDE-HAILING players Grab and Gojek are extending discounts and rebates on the commission fees they charge drivers through to late June, to help drivers cope with the plunge in demand amid Singapore's circuit-breaker measures. 

In a statement on Thursday, Gojek said it is extending its commission rebates for its Singapore drivers to June 28 to boost their take-home earnings. 

The scheme, which was unveiled in early April, gives drivers a rebate of between 60 per cent and 100 per cent of the commission fees for trips completed from April 10. Gojek typically charges drivers a 20 per cent commission for every completed trip. 

The level of rebates depends on drivers' tier status in GoalBetter, Gojek's driver-benefits programme. Drivers who are on the programme under GoFleet, Gojek's vehicle-rental marketplace, will continue to receive a 100-per-cent service-fee rebate.

Over at Grab, a spokesperson told The Business Times that the firm will continue halving  its commission fees for drivers up to June 21. Grab's commission fees, pegged at about 20 per cent, have been halved since early April.    

Grab will also continue to offer two days of free rental every week to drivers who rent their vehicles from GrabRentals, until June 21. Drivers tapping GrabRentals will also continue to enjoy a lower commission fee of 5 per cent until then. If they complete 10 or more GrabFood or GrabExpress deliveries each week, this commission fee is waived.

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The efforts by Gojek and Grab comes as both loss-making firms have seen demand for ride-hailing shrink amid Singapore's circuit-breaker measures. The support measures may be essential for both firms to retain drivers, but may also add to their cash burn amid the economic downturn. 

On April 30, Grab told its drivers that it may not be able to provide further financial support if Singapore's partial lockdown measures are extended past June 1.