Uber and Quick Ride in Proton pact

The study, compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Columbia University, focused on Austin, Texas, where on-demand services like Uber and Lyft pulled services due to local laws.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new company called Quick Ride Sdn Bhd aims to lease 1,000 Proton cars to Uber drivers in the Klang Valley.

Quick Ride, a joint venture between Cartrade Group Sdn Bhd and Koperasi Amanah Pelaburan Berhad (KAPB) officially launched on Tuesday, signed a memorandum of understanding with Proton and Uber Malaysia.

According to KAPB executive chairman Datuk Ilyas Mohamed, qualified individuals will just need to pay a deposit of RM1,000 with Quick Ride, and get through the vetting process of both Uber and Quick Ride, to begin picking up riders.

Drivers only need to pay daily leasing fees of RM45 (for a new Proton Saga) or RM55 (for a Proton Persona) and fuel costs, while maintenance, road tax and insurance will be borne by Quick Ride.

“This is the first of its kind smart partnership in Malaysia," said Ilyas, adding that drivers would need to hit the weekly minimum of 30 hours of driving set by Uber.

“You can still earn over RM1,000 a week with that, and I have been informed that those who go beyond 30 hours and are more hardworking can get RM2,000 or more a week,” he added.

Quick Ride cars leased to Uber drivers would be outfitted with free WiFi as well as a digital interactive tablet for passengers to use, Ilyas said.

The company, together with Proton, aims to lease 1,000 cars by the end of the year, and up to 10,000 over the next two years.