Uber is currently experimenting with cash payments in Malaysia, starting with Johor Bahru.
Starting today (18th March 2016), Uber users in Johor will have the option of paying their fares with cash. This is the first time the ride-sharing service is testing out the feature in this country.
Seeing that this project is still on trial, Uber said not everyone will be able to see the cash option right away. Those that do will be able to select the cash payment option when requesting a ride. At the end of the ride, they are expected to to pay the amount shown in the app directly to the driver. Rollout to all riders should be completed over the next few weeks.
Since its launch in 2014, Uber has relied on its users to pay via credit cards for their rides. “With the introduction of this cash payment test, our technology becomes instantly accessible to more people in Johor Bahru,” said Uber Malaysia general manager, Leon Foong. There are also plans to expand this feature to the rest of Malaysia.
The company has rolled out cash payments in other major markets including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, with India being the first market to promote this feature. Many other developing countries, where credit card usage is low, still find this paying method necessary.
Uber users in Johor can sign up at get.uber.com/go/ubercashjb and see if the cash payment method is available to them. New users will also get to enjoy RM15 off their first ride when they key in the promo code UberCashJB; regardless if it’s being paid via cash or credit card.
For more information, you can visit Uber’s page.
Sources: Lowyat, The Star Online, Tech in Asia.
