Govt reviewing e-hailing platforms’ 20pc commission cap, says Transport Ministry as 170,944 drivers opt into new fee

The government is reviewing the commission cap for e-hailing platforms following calls by drivers to reduce the current 20 per cent rate, with the Ministry of Transport stating that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) will study the cap in depth. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 06 Nov 2026 10:37 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — The government is reviewing the commission cap for e-hailing platforms following calls by drivers to reduce the current 20 per cent rate, with the Ministry of Transport stating that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) will study the cap in depth.

In a written parliamentary reply yesterday, the ministry said the review would follow engagement sessions with stakeholders and ongoing studies.

The reply was issued in response to Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, who asked the Transport Ministry about the government’s efforts to discuss and urge e-hailing platform Grab to lower its 20 per cent commission rate for e-hailing drivers to ensure greater fairness and increase their income.

The ministry noted that Grab has proposed a new fare structure under a Proof of Concept (POC) known as the Grab Service Fee (GSF).

This structure uses flexible commission rates for daily trips but maintains a 20 per cent cap for the weekly or monthly average, taking into account distance, location, travel time and the real-time movement from a passenger’s drop-off point to a new pick-up location.

As of May 31, 2026, about 170,944 driver-partners had opted into the new structure.

The ministry recorded an average GSF of 18 per cent and an effective GSF of 15 per cent under the POC.

“The transit-per-minute income of driver-partners who joined the new structure recorded a continuous increase of over 6 per cent since the POC began,” it stated.

Grab updates the status and development of the POC to the Ministry and APAD regularly.

However, the government acknowledged drivers’ concerns about lowering the commission rate to increase their income more transparently and fairly.

The final review will also consider the outcome of ongoing studies by the Transport Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry regarding gig worker compensation, which are expected to be completed this year. 

Note: The Land Public Transport Agency is known as Agensi Pengangkutan Awam Darat (APAD) in Malay.