New ride-sharing application launched in time for the holidays

PETALING JAYA: Another intercity ride-sharing app has joined the fray just in time for Hari Raya.

Called Droupr, the app was launched on Friday, making it the third after GrabHitch and UberPool.

“One of the most annoying thing about the festive period is trying to get transport either to go back your hometown or get back home after it.

“If you fail to get public transport, the next best thing is to share a ride with someone heading the same destination,” said Sharifah Shahidah, communications director for Droupr, which is based at Cyberjaya.

A Malaysian developed app, Droupr matches car owners with potential passengers to allow a “community-based, safe travelling experience” with no profits.

“Droupr is engineered to create a trust-based community with declared identities and full member profiles.

“Users register in the system using their real name with a valid e-mail address and phone number.

“To ensure passengers safety, the system offers members the option to include their identity card and house address verification,” said Sharifah.

Droupr promises shared rides that are “a fraction of a ticket on public transport”, though it also claims that the app is programmed so that there is no overcharging, in keeping with the philosophy of car pooling.

The system also allows members to choose a “ladies only” car.

“Each passenger makes a fair contribution for their seat to cover fuel and toll costs. Droupr only charges a small booking fee from passengers to cover overheads,” said Sharifah.

In a related development, the Land Public Transport Commission has released a list of websites for online bus ticket purchases.

The list at spad.gov.my/media-centre/media- releases/portal-bus-express-verified-spad contains the names of 24 express bus companies that are collectively represented by 17 websites.

Elsewhere, there are another two travel aggregators which will make online bus ticket purchases a breeze.

Other than redbus.sg, there is catchthatbus.com, which sells tickets to over 700 destinations in Malaysia and Singapore.

“For this Hari Raya, CTB has partnered with Darul Naim Express to exclusively sell 1,500 bus tickets to Kelantan from July 1 to 11,” said Saripah Mohamad, operations manager of Darul Naim Express in a statement.

“We want to provide good service and avoid mark-ups (to ticket prices) to our custo­mers who are desperate to return home for the Raya holidays.”