Grab Malaysia has officially introduced a new “Group Ride” feature that allows multiple passengers travelling along similar routes to share a single e-hailing ride, potentially cutting travel costs by up to 40%.
The new feature, now being rolled out to eligible users nationwide via the Grab app, is designed to encourage more efficient and sustainable commuting while helping Malaysians manage rising transportation costs.
Positioned around the concept of “Kongsi Perjalanan, Kongsi Tambang”, Group Ride allows friends, colleagues, and family members heading in the same direction to book and share rides more conveniently through a single booking system.
The launch also aligns with the Malaysian government’s broader push towards smarter mobility solutions and reduced dependence on private vehicles, particularly in urban areas facing increasing congestion.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook even tested the feature personally together with ministry personnel in Putrajaya during the launch.
According to the Ministry of Transport, initiatives such as Group Ride can help strengthen first mile-last mile connectivity while encouraging greater use of public transport and shared mobility solutions.
Grab says the new feature was developed after observing that many users were already informally sharing rides to reduce costs, especially among office workers, event-goers, and groups travelling together.
One of the biggest highlights is the potential cost savings, with passengers able to save up to 40% compared to booking separate rides individually.
The system also includes flexible payment options similar to GrabFood Group Orders, allowing the host to either pay for the entire trip or split the fare automatically among passengers. Fare splitting can be done equally or proportionally based on the distance travelled by each passenger.
Another key feature is flexible route planning, as Group Ride supports multiple pickup points leading to a single destination, or one pickup point with several drop-off locations.
Under the hood, Grab uses AI-driven route optimisation to determine the most efficient sequence for pickups and drop-offs, helping minimise travel time for both passengers and driver-partners.
Grab also revealed that a new “Waiting Room” feature is currently in development, which will allow passengers to track vehicle arrival and coordinate readiness in real time before pickup.
On the safety front, Group Ride bookings are integrated into Grab’s existing safety ecosystem, including trip monitoring, the in-app Safety Centre, and the SOS emergency assistance feature.
According to Rashid Shukor, the feature not only improves affordability and convenience, but also contributes towards reducing congestion, fuel consumption, and overall carbon emissions.
He added that driver-partners also stand to benefit through better route efficiency, reduced idle periods, and more productive trips.
As fuel prices and urban congestion continue to become major concerns globally, Grab’s latest feature could become an increasingly attractive option for Malaysians looking to save money while travelling more efficiently.
