PETALING JAYA: The demand for e-hailing is expected to rise significantly during the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang starting from tomorrow, with drivers getting ready, including brushing up on their English.
For e-hailing driver Amirul Hakim, 38, the upcoming race this weekend is an opportunity to serve international visitors, and he is preparing by brushing up on his English with help from his children.
He is also familiarising himself with popular tourist attractions, shopping areas and local food spots so he can offer passengers suggestions when asked.
“I want to be able to communicate better with tourists, even if it is just giving them simple directions or recommending places to visit,” he said.
Another driver, Lim Wei Jian, 42, is planning his working hours around the expected traffic congestion and peak booking periods.
He intends to check the designated pick-up points, identify alternative routes and keep his vehicle clean and fuelled before heading towards Sepang.
Lim also plans to learn more about nearby attractions and restaurants so he can help visitors make the most of their stay here.
Gabungan eHailing Malaysia chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said demand is likely to peak before and after races, particularly around Sepang, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur.
“Demand is likely to surge significantly compared with a normal weekend, especially immediately before and after the race when large crowds move at the same time,” he said.
He said drivers could face road closures, restricted access, unclear pick-up points, long waiting times and additional operating costs.
“The key issue is not only the number of drivers online, but whether enough drivers can be positioned effectively and move through the traffic efficiently,” he said.
Masrizal urged the authorities, event organisers and e-hailing platforms to coordinate on clearly marked pick-up and drop-off zones, driver staging areas, real-time traffic updates and clear instructions for passengers.
He also called for transparent pricing and fair consideration of drivers’ additional waiting time, travel distance and operating costs.
