Relying on e-hailing: A personal journey of challenges and costs

Like many young Malaysians, I found myself relying on e-hailing services because I can't drive and can't afford to own a car at the moment.

Having recently graduated and finished my internship, the challenges of commuting hit me hard, especially now that I'm starting my career.

Public transport, while affordable, often falls short in meeting my needs.

Bus routes either do not go where I need to, or would take far too long for me to reach my destination on time.

So, e-hailing, despite its higher costs, seemed like the only viable option.

Yet, as I come to rely on these services daily, I uncovered a series of frustrations and challenges that many users might find familiar.

One of the most glaring issues is the price. Fares for different e-hailing services could vary drastically, sometimes inexplicably so.

Some providers mark up their rates, sometimes by a staggering percentage, which could be financially draining.

While I’m willing to accept higher costs for longer journeys, I feel paying a premium for a five-minute trip seems unreasonable and unfair.

Aside from cost, my experience with drivers has been hit or miss.

Some of them are kind, professional and understanding while others, however, have made me feel uncomfortable and even disrespected.

One particular driver left a lasting negative impression.

During our ride, he turned the conversation towards personal topics about relationships and love.

He even went so far as to give me his card, suggesting we "stay in touch." That was a boundary crossed, leaving me feeling unsettled.

Another driver left me in frustration after refusing to wait while I needed a minute to take out the trash as he arrived and just when I was about to open the door to the car, he drove off.

While these experiences are perhaps trivial to some, I felt that it was quite disrespectful to treat others like that.

It is sometimes understandable that drivers might be rude because of their busy schedules, but it is still unacceptable.

However, reporting drivers for unprofessional behaviour feels like a risk I am hesitant to take as I fear of the potential repercussions if a driver were to seek out retaliation.

Despite all these issues, I still rely on e-hailing almost every day because it's the only way for me to get where I need to go.

For someone like me, who spends a significant portion of my income on these services, it is not just about getting from point A to point B. It is about having an affordable, respectful and safe ride.

I hope e-hailing companies take these concerns seriously and make improvements so that users aren’t left feeling drained financially or emotionally by the end of their journey.