I regularly take Grab.
Whether it’s for work or for personal reasons, I’d pretty much use Grab as my method of travel most of the time. I’ve probably taken hundreds of ride over the last few years.
That’s why when I say the ride I had yesterday was the worst ride ever, I really mean it. Here’s the story.
On 16th April 2021, at about 215pm, I booked a Grab ride.
On the app, I saw the vehicle assigned was a Silver Premiere taxi. I’m not going to the name of the driver but Grab should be able to find out easily enough by checking the car’s number plate from screenshot below.
Yo Grab, if you’re reading this, here’s my Booking ID: ADR-XSLHCFVWWEIQ.
Also if you get assigned the same car you’re going to want to cancel it.
Here’s the proof.
Upon boarding the vehicle, I saw the window was open on both the driver and front passenger side. I gave the driver the benefit of the doubt for that.
After all, I’ve been in a couple of Grab rides where windows were open initially too. The drivers usually closed them after we got underway.
This one didn’t.
I waited for a bit, waiting to see him raise them up. Nope, he didn’t do a damn thing. He didn’t even offer an explanation why. It was only when he saw me looking at the open windows and my aunt nudging me through the rear view mirror did he say “Aircon spoil” sheepishly. He says that it wasn’t pumping out enough cool air, which was why the windows were open.
What. The. Hell.
Aircon’s not working and you’re still picking up passengers?!
I’d have him dropped us off right there but we (my aunts were along for the ride) were already turning into the TPE, coming from Seletar West Link. Plus, we were already damn late for an appointment.
So I figured what the hell, just accept it and move on.
It wasn’t until we were travelling along the TPE that I noticed something weird; the seat belt flapping. At first, I figured it was due to the wind (it was) but then I realized that if it was buckled in, it should be taut. The wind wouldn’t move it at all.
Then it finally dawned on me…the belt was broken and the dude was driving without wearing one! HOLY SHIT!
I find the seatbelt (or what’s left of it) happily flapping in the wind appropriate to show the window’s open. Awesomely, the driver even has a clamp on it…for what reason though? Safety? Isn’t that ironic.
It was also on the TPE that I noticed that the driver was driving erratically. He seemed to be content tailgating other vehicles, despite open lanes. Even when he changed lanes, it wasn’t smooth.
“Today’s the day I die and this is how.” I distinctly remember thinking, while sitting in the backseat and sweating profusely.
Luckily, I didn’t or this post wouldn’t exist.
What I want to know is how a car in this condition is allowed to be in service? Is there no standard set by Grab on the condition of vehicles they allow to be used? I’d have figured having air-conditioning and a functional safety belt would be top of the list!
Hell, I have to ask the same thing to Premier Taxis too! Is this the standard for a taxi for the company?
I’m waiting for both companies to get back to me on this and will update as soon as I know more.