Grab’s New System Lets Drivers Earn Up To $11,888 Guaranteed Gross Income Monthly

Grab drivers have been complaining about how their earnings have lessened since Uber’s gone.

And that’s a cause for concern because a big player in the ride-hailing industry is entering Singapore.

Which means Grab is now concerned about whether their drivers will choose to “jump ship”.

And it doesn’t help that rumours about Go-Jek’s upcoming incentive for Singaporean drivers is very attractive. With a capital A.

Go-Jek Rumoured Drivers’ Incentive Scheme

Singaporeans are still waiting desperately for a second ride-hailing firm to come to Singapore.

Or to be more specific, Go-Jek, which is invested in by power players like Google, Temasek Holdings among many others.

Because this means they’ll be better equipped to fight with Grab on home ground. In other words, be able to engage in price wars so riders (and maybe drivers) can go back to Uber-vs-Grab days.

And well, it seemed like they’re coming.

At least, there are rumours about what drivers of Go-Jek can expect to get in terms of incentives.

And it’s looking pretty intense.

Complete 150 trips a week and you’ll get $1,800 bonus. 120 trips and you’ll get $1,300. Most importantly, drivers won’t need to have a certain acceptance rate and cancellation rate (which means they can suka suka cherry-pick riders and cancel on riders)

Of course, this is just a rumour. Shin Min News Daily attempted to verify it with Go-Jek but did not receive any response from the company.

But sentiments on the ground seems to reflect bad news for Grab.

A driver SMND spoke to said that some drivers are “getting unhappier with Grab, and will jump ship if possible”.

An online poll also seemed to echo the same sentiments.

But then again, this is the internet. The most vocal people might just be the minority. Maybe.

Grab’s New Incentive Scheme 

If you’re a Grab driver who thinks you’re not earning enough, this might be good news for you.

Having trouble with earning enough driving Grab? The ride-hailing company is launching a new scheme called the Monthly Income Guarantee on 29 Oct, exclusive to Singapore.

Depending on the number of trips you complete in a week, Grab will guarantee a certain level of income to you based on the tier that you’re on.

For example, if you’ve hit 100 trips per week and you’re guaranteed $4,800, but your earnings only come up to $4,200.

Grab will top up with the remaining $600 to hit the guaranteed income.

For example, if you’re an Emerald level Grab driver, by completing 100 trips per week, you’re guaranteed $4,800 gross income for that week.

But take note that this is before any deductions are made.

So let’s say you’re renting a car at $50 per day, and you’re in the Diamond tier. The net guarantee income you’ll have is $11,888 before deducting petrol costs.

$11,888 – $2,377.6 (20% Grab commission) – $1,550 (car rental-assuming it’s $50 per day) = $7,960.40. 

So work hard for a month and you’ll probably get $7,960.40 before petrol deductions.

Now, here’s where the interesting part comes in.

You can “level up” and become a different tier driver.

Drivers automatically start off at the Emerald tier and gain experience points every time they contribute a commission to Grab.

Kind of like levelling up in Final Fantasy and getting better rewards as you fight tougher dungeons, no?

I’m guessing that’s one version of career progression.

Max level = Diamond tier. 

Imagine if you’re a Diamond tier Grab driver and you somehow complete 180 trips per week.

You’re looking at a gross income of $11,888, after deductions and rental, as calculated above, you’re looking at an income of $7,960.40 per month (before petrol but includes car rental).

But that’s 180 trips per week lah.

Don’t chiong too much or you might just be paying all your money to the doctor. #JustSaying

Drivers Divided On Whether It’s A Good Thing Or Not

As with every issue discussed on the internet, there’ll be comments for, against and neutral.

One said that it’s a good scheme, just not for everyone.

While others wondered if the number of trips isn’t too crazy.

There are some who thinks it’s a publicity stunt, given how earnings should exceed the minimum income if they can hit the number of trips.

What do you think?