JAKARTA: Online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers remain divided over commission fees charged by ride-hailing platforms.
However, once they understand the deductions, most prioritise higher booking volumes over commission rates, a new survey showed.
A phone survey by Tenggara Strategics, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday among 1,052 Grab drivers in Greater Jakarta, found that commission deductions top drivers’ concerns alongside income levels, operational costs such as fuel and vehicle maintenance and the lack of health or accident insurance.
Currently, ojol drivers typically face a 20% platform fee.
Ride-hailing companies say the deduction is unavoidable due to rising operational costs, including marketing, while also funding innovations and safety features.
Ojol drivers have been demanding that the government cap commission fees at 10%, including during their latest protest on Wednesday under the banner “179”.
One of their key demands highlighted how commission fees directly affected their net income.
Survey results, however, showed that 54% of drivers would accept a 20% commission cut if it came with tangible benefits such as promotional support, health or accident insurance or vehicle maintenance subsidies rather than a 10% deduction without benefits.
This indicated that while drivers are sensitive to the commission rate, they also weigh the broader advantages offered.
A consistent finding is that 82% of respondents strongly prefer a 20% deduction paired with a high volume of orders over a 10% deduction with fewer orders.
Interestingly, 18% of respondents had previously worked with platforms applying a 10% commission.
Among them, 43% said their earnings were roughly the same between the 10% and 20% platforms, while 42% said they earned less under the 10% platform.
Beyond commission rates, drivers have long demanded recognition as employees rather than partners.
However, shifting all drivers to permanent employee status could reduce flexibility and prompt platforms to impose stricter hiring criteria, potentially excluding many.
The survey also reveals that 52% of drivers value flexibility most, seeing partnership status as preferable to permanent employment. Another 33% said incentives, such as BPJS or Social Security Agency of Indonesia accident insurance, combined with partner status mattered more than employment type.
Only 15% said they wanted permanent employee status outright. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
