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I remember coming to SE Asia a couple of years ago, and finding it amazing how I could order an Uber with the same app / account that I do in the West (albeit only from major, supported cities).

However, returning recently, for me (at leat anecdotally) it’s almost infeasible to order an Uber here now due to their low driver rates. Grab seems to be everywhere, but with rates similar to Uber, I do wonder what went wrong. I was thinking only the other day that it feels like Uber let this opportunity slip through their fingers.

Both platforms are vastly cheaper than their western services ($1 for over a mile). They also both offer ‘moto’/motorcycle hire for one-person rides which is extremely convenient... I’m wondering why we don’t have similar services in the built-up western cities such as London or New York.

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Local here, in my country Grab tried to abide by the local law while Uber is acting like they are above the government. Taxation for example, Grab has no problem paying tax, while the local branch of Uber said that they are only a 'marketing company' for Uber BV located in Holland (a well known tax haven) so they don't have to pay any corporation income tax at all. IANAL but even if that is legal, it still doesn't sit right with me or the local government.

oh and the marketing problem too, they changed their uniform and colour them for a few times while Grab just sticks with green. I just don't feel they have a clear strategy for anything at all.

Aren't they all just burn investors money? Hence no income and no corporate income tax to pay?

It is impossible get their real profit so they are taxed 2% on their revenue. Oh and I forgot, when the authority requested them to hold a meeting on how should the taxation be, they didn't even bother to reply! That's like asking for trouble.

(I live in SE Asia.)

Grab did a better job of having an offering that fit the local markets, whereas Uber tried to fit its US model here. It has since adapted but Grab has always executed faster and better.

Grab showed up front pricing first. Grab allowed paying by cash. GrabPay has been (somewhat) adopted by other companies.

There's another thing I heard lots of people saying in KL a few weeks ago. Uber had developed a reputation for employing crooks—drivers who would accept a fare and claim the payment, but simply not show up, and so on—and not doing anything when they were reported. Grab was supposed to be a lot stricter with its drivers, and their drivers were much more trusted.

I dunno. I don't live in KL. Uber is fine where I live. Grab is also fine.

> Grab allowed paying by cash.

So how does that work? Do drivers get a statement at the end of the month on how much they owe Grab? Is it itemized by ride, or juts aggregated?

It's actually the other way around, they prepay Grab some package and make it back + the driver commission over time.

That's a great model to deal with the fact that cash isn't going away anytime soon.

As a tourist in Kuala lumpur last year, I had better experiences with Grab trips. They accepted cash, drivers seemed to be happier and fare was slightly cheaper.

Uber must be feeling the pressure because they also started accepting cash in some cities.

Are you saying that Uber charges about the same as Grab, but in Grab drivers get paid more? Even though Uber is burning a shitload of investors cash..

Grab drivers make more money than Uber. Or so they do in Singapore.

I find Uber tends to be a bit cheaper than Grab in Vietnam (give or take the weekly discounts).

My one trip to Malaysia, I found Grab to be the cheaper choice.

source: living in Vietnam for ~1 year.

I live in SEA and Grab is way more cheaper than Uber. Uber is just so damn expensive with the same service of Grab.