Getting around our hectic nation is already hard as it is and it’s only the beginning of 2016. A reliance of our cars might rise since fuel prices are lower than usual but knowing markets, they could easily balloon again.
Despite cheaper petrol, most car manufacturers upped their price-points, toll prices and public transport has raised their prices too and well… let’s just say it’s going to be tough getting here and there with our economy being the way it is.
Considering all the factors, Uber Malaysia has decided to make their uberX rides more affordable.
Kuala Lumpur
Bringing some joy to Uber riders, they’ve revised the Klang Valley fares to reflect the breakdown above.
Previously, those riding on uberX were charged at RM1.50 for base fare followed by RM0.30/minute and RM0.60/KM. So they’ve lowered the base fares by RM0.55 and decreased the per minute cost from RM0.30 to RM0.25. Per kilometer pricing has remained at RM0.60.
Uber thinks that lowering prices would, in turn, make more people use it – pretty much a given but they hope this will bring better remuneration for the people behind the wheel of Uber cars too.
They’ve given a comparison table of the old and the new fares in between points and how much the prices have decreased. For short distances, this translates up to 50% less compared to the previous rate.
At the same time, they’ve dropped prices for uberX rides in Penang and Johor as well.
Penang
Previously, those riding on uberX in Penang were charged at RM1.50 for base fare followed by RM0.30/minute and RM0.60/KM. So they’ve lowered the base fares by RM0.60 and decreased the per minute cost from RM0.30 to RM0.25. Per kilometer pricing has also been reduced to RM0.55.
That’s roughly a 15% decreasing in overall pricing.
Johor Bahru
Previously, those riding on uberX in Johor were charged at RM1.50 for base fare followed by RM0.20/minute and RM0.60/KM. So they’ve lowered the base fares by RM0.50 and per kilometer pricing has also been reduced to RM0.50. But increased the per minute cost from RM0.20 to RM0.25.
The above is a comparison table of the old and the new fares in between points and how much the prices have decreased for those in Johor. It works out to about 15% cheaper fares.
Relying on data from their case study in New York, they saw a gradual growth of partner driver earnings once they dropped prices every year. In the span of 3 years (2002 to 2015) they make Uber rides cheaper by 30% and following the trend was driver earnings.
True enough, once prices dropped, drivers were busier and they spent their hours more efficiently. More trips, less idle times means more money.
Hey, after all, the people ferrying us here and there deserve to be earning a good wage too and it doesn’t hurt us one bit. Let’s hope Uber can maintain standards and keep both riders and drivers happy.
You can download your Uber app at these links for iOS and Android.
