The passenger noticed the driver making “mocking and vulgar remarks” in a WhatsApp chat during the ride. - Photos: Screengrabs from COMPLAINT SINGAPORE/Facebook
SINGAPORE: A Grab driver was suspended for a week after he allegedly mocked a passenger who was on crutches, and the driver also texted while driving.
The suspension follows a complaint by the mother of the teenage passenger who booked the ride on Sept 17, although Grab in its reply did not elaborate on what the driver was suspended for.
Speaking to The Straits Times, Eliza Neo said that the incident happened to her 17-year-old daughter, who was on a JustGrab ride to Woodlands Health at about 3.20pm that day.
She was the only passenger in the car, and was on crutches after undergoing surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Neo, 40, clarified that they did not opt for GrabAssist – a ride option that offers assistance to those with disabilities or require additional help – because her daughter was able to get in and out of cars without help.
The 17-year-old noticed the driver making “mocking and vulgar remarks” in a WhatsApp chat during the ride, Neo said.
Photos of the driver’s actions taken by Neo’s daughter showed texts on the driver’s phone in which he allegedly said, “Maid on crutches” and “D employer never follow ***”, “I got $3 wait fee” and “Later I carry her out lo”.
Neo said the driver had speculated that the person on crutches was a domestic helper, and had made “mocking and vulgar remarks”, which were “highly unprofessional”.
She also noted that her daughter had allegedly seen the driver using his phone while driving on more than one occasion during the ride, and that it had been drizzling that day.
In response to media queries on Saturday (Sept 27), Grab apologised for the incident and said that it does not tolerate discriminatory behaviour or language on its platform, whether from driver-partners or passengers.
Its spokesperson added that the driver was given a one-week suspension as he had no prior record of complaints against him.
The incident first garnered public attention when Neo took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook group to share her experience in a post on Sept 23. It has since garnered more than 540 likes and 420 shares.
This followed two earlier attempts to contact Grab Support via e-mail on Sept 17 and 23, Neo said, adding that Grab reached out to her on Sept 24.
Neo said her daughter was worried that the driver would lose his income over the incident, but she added: “I just hope he learns his lesson.” - The Straits Times/ANN
