{"id":51858,"date":"2026-05-12T23:29:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=51858"},"modified":"2026-05-12T23:29:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:29:41","slug":"grab-driver-bonus-new-streaks-scheme-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=51858","title":{"rendered":"Grab driver bonus: New Streaks scheme details"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 Transport company Grab will be rolling out a new bonus scheme for its ride-hailing drivers from May 18, after it stopped the launch of a previous version in June 2025 because of complaints from full-time drivers that their overall earnings would drop.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

But drivers The Straits Times spoke to had mixed reactions to the new scheme, which they learnt about in April via an in-app message. Some are convinced their earnings will take a hit, while others think this may not be the case if certain driving habits are changed.<\/p>\n

The new \u201cstreaks\u201d cashback scheme will replace the existing special trip bonus scheme, which awards drivers daily bonuses when they complete a certain number of automatically assigned trips.<\/p>\n

Under the new scheme, drivers have to book two-hour slots, or \u201cstreaks\u201d, and complete at least two trips per slot to earn a cashback of 5 per cent to 8 per cent, with the specific percentage earned determined by the \u201cdemand-supply balance\u201d. There is a fixed number of time slots.<\/p>\n

For instance, there will be higher cashback percentages for periods of \u201csignificant undersupply\u201d to ensure passengers get reliable service, said Grab.<\/p>\n

Additionally, drivers will get a weekly bundle bonus of up to $160 when they complete a certain number of two-hour time slots and take on two automatically assigned trips in each slot.<\/p>\n

Drivers also have to be online for 70 per cent \u2013 one hour and 24 minutes \u2013 of each \u201cstreak\u201d.<\/p>\n

Those who complete more \u201cstreaks\u201d weekly will receive higher bundle bonuses.<\/p>\n

According to Grab\u2019s website, \u201cstreaks\u201d are \u201cdesigned to be easier to achieve\u201d than the existing special trip bonus, given the lower minimum trip requirements for \u201cstreaks\u201d.<\/p>\n

For the special trip bonus, drivers would typically need to complete at least seven peak-hour trips daily on weekdays, and at least 18 trips on each day of the weekend to qualify.<\/p>\n

The previous version of the \u201cstreaks\u201d scheme was not implemented after the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) raised concerns over reduced earnings for most full-time drivers as the percentage of monthly bonuses would have been cut for some driver tiers.<\/p>\n

Grab briefed drivers about the new scheme in person at its service centre in Tampines and virtually on Zoom.<\/p>\n

Mr Hiskandar Zulkarnaen, 44, believes that he will receive lower bonuses if he spends the same amount of time on the road under the \u201cstreaks\u201d scheme.<\/p>\n

Instead of getting a guaranteed weekly special trip bonus of around $300 like he does now for completing 140 rides, he estimates that he will earn an extra $180 each week in the most optimistic situation, assuming he manages to secure sufficient slots.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the full-time driver of a year is uncertain if he can get the time slots he wants, adding that it is \u201cnot worth it\u201d as he has to take longer drives islandwide to complete \u201cstreaks\u201d.<\/p>\n

Noting that longer journeys that are automatically assigned will be more tiring, he said the fares will hence be \u201cless worthwhile\u201d in comparison with driving \u201cshifts\u201d.<\/p>\n

A \u201cshift\u201d, another scheme on Grab\u2019s platform, refers to a pre-booked two-hour time slot within which drivers get priority allocation of automatically assigned rides within selected geographical zones.<\/p>\n

Another driver said many full-time drivers who spend eight hours or more on the road each day could earn lower incentives.<\/p>\n

The driver, who is in his late 40s and typically puts in 50 hours of work each week, foresees that he will have to work longer hours \u2013 up to twice as long on weekends \u2013 just to clock the same amount in bonuses. The full-time driver of six years declined to be identified for fear of being penalised on Grab\u2019s platform.<\/p>\n

By his calculation, drivers will have to work at least 52 hours each week to hit the highest tier of 26 \u201cstreaks\u201d under the new scheme. And even then, he said the payout of around $280 is \u201ca little lacking\u201d, given the \u201cextraordinary number of hoops\u201d involved in competing with other drivers to book a finite number of slots.<\/p>\n

But Ms Tiffany Ang, 50, a private-hire driver of 10 years, said the new scheme will immediately benefit some drivers who accept rides when there are fewer other drivers on the road.<\/p>\n

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Grab said on its website that new features in the latest version of \u201cstreaks\u201d include more available timings for slots, the ability to book back-to-back \u201cstreaks\u201d slots and islandwide coverage for trips.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drivers who benefit from doing \u201cshifts\u201d now might see lower earnings at first, she added, but they should adjust their operations to take on a mix of \u201cstreaks\u201d slots and \u201cshifts\u201d to \u201chit the sweet spot for optimal incentives\u201d.<\/p>\n

During periods of high demand, Ms Ang said, drivers will earn more from \u201cstreaks\u201d, given the surge fares. But during off-peak periods, drivers should expect to earn less.<\/p>\n

Another driver who wanted to be identified only as Mr Wong thinks that the bonus he could earn from \u201cstreaks\u201d is on a par with that of completing \u201cshifts\u201d.<\/p>\n

But the 42-year-old\u2019s main gripe with the new system is the possibility that drivers could be assigned long-distance trips to remote areas, which reduce their chances of completing two trips within the two-hour \u201cstreaks\u201d slot.<\/p>\n

He added that drivers doing \u201cstreaks\u201d could earn less in terms of monthly rebates \u2013 which they receive from completing different numbers of trips \u2013 since they would have to travel longer distances and hence clock a smaller number of trips in total.<\/p>\n

But he noted that \u201cstreaks\u201d may be suitable for drivers who prefer guaranteed earnings from each \u201cstreak\u201d completed.<\/p>\n

Grab said on its website that new features in the latest version of \u201cstreaks\u201d include more available timings for slots, the ability to book back-to-back \u201cstreaks\u201d slots and islandwide coverage for trips.<\/p>\n

A Grab spokeswoman told ST that this version of \u201cstreaks\u201d has taken into account feedback from drivers and the union, which resulted in the changes.<\/p>\n

She said the number of \u201cstreaks\u201d slots is designed to match passenger demand with driver supply, with more slots available during peak periods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand that moving from a longstanding programme to the new \u2018streaks\u2019 structure represents a change for our driver-partners. Our goal is to ensure this shift brings clear benefits and an improved experience,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Grab has also rolled out a feature that allows drivers eight seconds to cancel automatically assigned trips, she added.<\/p>\n

Based on feedback from more than 400 drivers who were part of two pilots, the feedback has been positive, she said.<\/p>\n

Mr Raven Lee, executive secretary of NPHVA, said Grab had engaged with the association in several discussions ahead of the roll-out of the upcoming scheme.<\/p>\n

After NPHVA raised issues regarding the availability of \u201cstreaks\u201d slots and the ability to plan schedules and income with greater certainty, Grab made refinements such as adjusting booking timings and allocation of slots to give drivers more flexibility and reduce idle time between trips, he added.<\/p>\n

Mr Lee said NPHVA will continue to monitor the impact of \u201cstreaks\u201d after its launch, and surface any issues to Grab, while pressing for improvements on drivers\u2019 behalf.<\/p>\n

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