10 Tips to Make Your GrabHitch Ride More Enjoyable

(Photo Credit: Grab)

New to GrabHitch? Here are 10 tips for both GrabHitch drivers and riders to improve their car-pooling experience.

Other than being a greener, more affordable means for daily commute, GrabHitch is also an awesome way to expand your social network and make new friends. To help you maximise your car-pooling experience, here are 10 tips for both GrabHitch drivers and riders.

GrabHitch Drivers

• A Smile Goes a Long Way

When picking up a passenger, it’s always nice to greet them with a smile. It’s been scientifically proven that a simple smile can put people at ease and enhance your impression. This is especially useful if you’re looking to find a long-term GrabHitch rider. A friendly smile will definitely encourage them to engage you again for future rides.

• Remind Your Passenger That You’re on the Way to Them

Before setting off to pick up your passengers, you might want to drop them a friendly reminder or message of your GrabHitch arrangement. While you’re at it, you could also use this opportunity to confirm the pick-up timing and location. This helps you reduce the waiting time, or any confusion about pick-up location.

• Let Them Know If You Have Other Passengers in the Car

Are you sending your spouse to work, or picking up another passenger? If you are, be sure to inform your other riders. This is common courtesy and will make the ride less awkward if they have been informed in advance.

• When “Stacking” Passengers, Remember to Inform Them of the Order of Pickup/Drop Off

If you are picking up/dropping off several passengers, be sure to communicate with them the order of pickup and drop off. Doing so allows them to better plan their journey. Remember to factor in weather and road conditions when “stacking” passengers as well.

GrabHitch Riders

• Socialise with Your GrabHitch Driver and Fellow Passengers

Instead of plugging in your earphones or going on social media for the entirety of your ride, you should try conversing with your GrabHitch driver and fellow passengers. Humans are social creatures and getting to know someone new can be a great way to pass the time. It's also a wonderful way to build your network. Who knows? That person who shared a GrabHitch ride with you might open new doors for future work opportunities for you.

• Be Punctual

Unlike taxi and private-hire car drivers, your GrabHitch driver (and fellow riders) are all working professionals who have to be in office on time. This is especially the case during morning rush hour traffic. How would you like it if someone kept you from reporting to work on time? Spare a thought for your driver and fellow passengers, and remember to be at your pick-up point on time.

• Treat a GrabHitch Car Like Your Own Vehicle

For those unaware, GrabHitch drivers are regular people who drive their own personal vehicle on their daily commute. They aren’t driving GrabHitch for a living. Therefore, it’s vital that you treat their vehicle as if it were your own. Unless you receive permission by the driver, you should not be eating your morning breakfast in the car. The same applies for your morning coffee or any other beverage. Not only is it rude, but it would seriously inconvenience the driver if an accident were to occur.

• Don’t Be a Backseat Driver

If you’re a GrabHitch rider, kindly refrain from commenting on your driver’s style of driving or the route that he or she takes. Not only is this annoying, but it can seriously put off GrabHitch drivers from providing this service again. As mentioned above, GrabHitch drivers are private car owners who probably have established their own preferred driving routes. If you want someone to use a particular route, call for a taxi instead.

• Carry Small Notes if You Aren’t Paying by Credit Card or GrabPay

Not paying by credit card or GrabPay (why tho)? Well, it’s your responsibility to carry small notes to pay your GrabHitch driver. Please do not expect the driver to have change for your $50 or $100 note, when you’re only paying $8 for your GrabHitch ride. It'll save you and your driver the hassle of looking for loose change when it's time for payment.

• Travelling with Bulky Items? Check with Your GrabHitch Driver First

If you are travelling with luggage or bulky items, be sure to check with your driver if the car boot has enough space for your items. The last thing you want is for your driver to arrive, only to find out that his or her car boot is full. This puts both passenger and driver at a predicament as one of you has to cancel the booking.

Have any other tips to make GrabHitch rides more awesome? Share them with us in the comments below!