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SINGAPORE: Grab Singapore will provide fuel vouchers to its delivery-partners amid rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
The move will bring its total financial support for its partners to about S$1.4 million (US$1 million), it said in a media release on Thursday (Apr 2).
The company introduced fuel vouchers for its driver-partners in March and on Tuesday unveiled a S$1.1 million support package that includes higher monthly cash bonuses and cashback rebates.
Grab will also temporarily raise its fuel surcharge, benefiting its drivers directly, to S$0.90 from Apr 7, while metered GrabCab taxi fares have been increased in an effort to support its taxi drivers.
"While previous measures addressed the wider transport fleet, this expansion focuses exclusively on the delivery community's most fuel-sensitive segment: those who are operating petrol-based motorcycles, cars and vans," Grab said.
"This targeted fuel support for delivery-partners was developed in consultation with the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)."
The vouchers will vary based on partners' vehicle types and their Grab Emerald Circle tiers, and eligible delivery-partners will receive voucher collection details via the Grab driver app. Emerald Circle is a loyalty programme for Grab’s partners.
All Grab transport and delivery driver-partners will continue to receive fuel discounts at Esso, Caltex and Sinopec as part of the company's partner benefits, it said.
"The current fuel situation is a challenge felt across our entire partner network, and we are committed to supporting our delivery-partners as they navigate these rising costs," a Grab spokesperson said.
"As a vital pillar of Singapore's F&B ecosystem, their resilience is essential to the reliability our consumers and merchant-partners depend on."
National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general and NDCA adviser Yeo Wan Ling welcomed Grab's move, but said that more needed to be done to support platform workers.
"Rising fuel costs are directly eroding the livelihoods and take-home earnings of our platform workers. Earlier support for drivers has provided some relief, and we have called on platform operators to step up with broader-based support," she added.
"We welcome Grab's move to introduce fuel subsidies for delivery riders. At the same time, this cannot rest on any single operator.
"We will continue to push for a strong tripartite response, from operators and government, one that delivers comprehensive and timely relief across the sector, and ensures that all platform workers are supported, not just a few."
