How much can an average full time driver earns a month in the Klang Valley ?

On average, a Grab driver in Klang Valley can earn RM 30 gross per hour, meaning it’s RM 300 for 10 hours of work. 

After deducting 20% fees to Grab, petrol and maintenance fees of around 20%, the margin is close to 60%. So net earning per day is RM 180. Assuming working for 22 days a month, it translates into RM 3,960.

The pros of becoming a full time Grab driver : It is like an own venture, being an own boss. Almost total freedom without a reporting boss. Working hours are self determined. Get to know locality and neighbourhood better. Able to drop by at variety of places for different food each day.

The cons of being a full time Grab driver : The job is not for long term as our age is catching up every single year, 10 hours on the road is pretty tough, rain or shine. The risk of being on the road is higher compared to normal road users due to number of hours spend. RM 3,960 is still tough to raise a family in Klang Valley.

Myanmese working in Malaysia for more than 20 years

Pick up a Myanmar gentleman who is working for a renovation company in one of the top notch housing areas in Klang Valley. I think he was smart enough to call a Grab right before 5pm which is a peak period with higher fare.

Had a good chat with him in an after working hours traffic jam. He has been in Malaysia in the 90s, for more than 20 years, but never back to Myanmar since then. Tried to ask him why so but I think he was not ready to elaborate further. Then we changed topic talking about KL road system and also his previous bosses.

He has basic command of Malay language. With his age which is catching up, ha has cut down a lot on beer and cigarette. Wish him all the best while earning a living in Malaysia.

1,000 - 1,500 Grab Partner Drivers at KLIA on stand by

There are approximately 1,000 to 1,500 Grab partner drivers are queueing for their turn at KLIA at any point of time. You may be curious, what are they normally doing while waiting ?

Currently there are 3 designated areas whereby drivers can park their vehicles and wait for their turn, these 3 area are KLIA Landside, KLIA Uptown, and Mitsui Outlet Park. These are some of the stuffs that Grab partner drivers are normally doing at these places 

• FOC shower at KLIA Landside
• Restroom time
• 1-2 hours nap at Bangau capsule hotel at KLIA Uptown, at RM 5.00 per hour
• Nap inside the vehicle if external weather is permitted 
• Get a car wash or minor car servicing at KLIA Uptown
• Chatting, watch YouTube, play mobile games
• Having meals with variety of options available at the 3 designated areas
• Enjoying air-con at Mitsui Outlet Park

Grab drivers tend to avoid KL city center during 5pm-8pm peak period

Do you notice that it's relatively not easy to get a Grab in city center especially during peak hours ?

There are a few reasons why drivers are avoiding KL city :

i. Fare offered is not attractive to endure the punishing jam due to partly poor city planning.

ii. Grab’s ride matching system is not optimized yet. There are times a driver has passed the necessary crucial turning when a match is triggered, and need to take a long route to pick up before being stuck in another jam again.

iii. Illegal parking of taxis around KL Pavilion and Jalan Alor, taking up at least 1 lane, while causing unnecessary jam. Enforcement from relevant authorities is not strong enough.

iv. City driving involves extra tension and requires extra alertness 

Paid by 100 pieces of coins

An interesting experience ..

There’s an African student studying at a tertiary institution paying his RM 10.00 fare entirely with 10 cents coins. I had to receive based on trust as I had no time to argue or to count at that point of drop off as I had another rider to pick up.

I think he’s fed up of being charged RM3.00 for no turn up within 5 minutes in his previous Grab ordering, and paid his subsequent trip with coins. He looked fine unlike some other African riders who are fierce by expression.

Anyway, I managed to exchange these coins with a RM 10 note from a coffee shop which welcomes small changes =)