Grab starts on-demand bus service pilot program in southern Vietnam as part of ongoing efforts to build its super-app ecosystem in the country.
The move follows the recent rollout of GrabKitchen in the country, thus marking the ride-hailing giant’s aggressive push in Vietnam.
According to a statement by Grab, beginning today, customers from Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau can book bus tickets for the inter-provincial route from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. The service, which runs 24 daily trips, will be operated by local bus provider Avigo. Thu Huong Le reports on KR-Asia.
Before the end of this year, the pilot scheme will be extended to an inter-city route connecting District 7 and District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, operated by local partner and bus service operator City View.
Customers using the Grab app can select the ride, preview route details and update the vehicle’s location anytime in addition to making payments via e-wallet Moca on Grab and other cashless payment methods. Grab is also looking to partner with other bus transportation companies, which in return can reach more customers that are accustomed to booking via the Grab platform.
According to the KR-Asia, after the pilot, Grab is expected to officially launch a marketplace for bus travels that will cater to mass-market consumers.
Grab, with its app on more than 160 million mobile devices across eight countries, entered Vietnam in 2014 and now offers a wide range of services from taxi and motorbike hailing to food delivery, online payment, express delivery, and hotel booking.
In late August, the Singapore-based tech firm announced in a statement it will invest some $500 million in Vietnam in the next five years to expand its transport, food and payment networks. The money would also be used to develop fintech, mobility solutions and logistics to spur the country’s digital economy, Grab said.