Grab makes a hot weather surcharge

Grab users will have to pay an additional VND 3000-5000 for hot weather with GrabBike, GrabFood...

This policy has been enforced by Grab since July 6th. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Grab charges an additional 5,000 hot weather surcharge for every GrabBike ride and every GrabFood, GrabMart order. This additional fee for GrabExpress service is VND 3000 per order.

In other markets such as Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Hue..., the GrabBike and GrabFood service surcharge in hot weather is VND 5,000. The surcharge will be added directly to the fare shown on the receipt when the driver collects the ride.

Grub said the surcharge would help ease the burden on drivers when placing orders. It is also the first taxi app to use this hot weather surcharge policy. Typically, rideshare companies charge an additional fee for Lunar New Year only, ranging from VND10,000 to VND15,000 or an overnight surcharge per order or ride. However, after Grab's announcement, many users are wondering if Grab will determine when and under what weather conditions this surcharge will apply.

Grab and others in the same industry are struggling to retain drivers when gas prices have been steadily rising over the past few months. Lately, many customers in Hanoi often have to wait a long time to order food delivery, taxis... because apps can't find drivers.

For many associations, groups and drivers, the app needs to reduce the discount to make support more practical. Currently, the two taxi booking apps with leading market share, Grab and Gojek, still maintain regular reward programs for drivers who meet the quota. The last time the two apps adjusted service charges to cope with high gas prices was in mid-March.

Collage: Sergey Brodar