Users can start their search for bus or ferry tickets by providing details such as departure and return dates, travel destination and number of travellers on the app. The search result will then provide details such as the travel operator’s name, departure time slots, ticket pricing and number of seats left. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
Bus and ferry tickets are now available for purchase through a new feature on the Grab app.
The company is piloting an Intercity feature under Transport on its app, which covers over 15,000 bus and ferry routes in Malaysia.
Users can start their search for bus or ferry tickets by providing details such as departure and return dates, travel destination and number of travellers. The search result will then provide details such as the travel operator’s name, departure time slots, ticket pricing and number of seats left.
According to information on its Help Centre, users will then receive an order summary via email after purchasing their tickets. Users can choose to print out their confirmed travel details or present it to the travel operators electronically.
“If you are planning to show your order summary electronically, make sure the QR code is well readable on your device’s screen,” the company added.
It should be noted users may still need to go to a pick-up point to exchange their order summary for a boarding pass or ticket, depending on the travel operator.
For example, Grab explains there may be designated counters for users to exchange their order summary for a boarding pass or information on bus plate and platform number. This boarding pass needs to be presented to the bus driver as they board. If the pick-up location does not have a counter, then users may be able to just present their order summary to the bus driver.
For ferries, users are required to check in and collect their boarding passes before departure. They are not allowed to board the ferry with just the order summary.
The company’s FAQ also stated that Intercity booking payments can only be made through GrabPay, its built-in eWallet.
In terms of main standard operating procedures, the company stated that drivers and operators must ensure that every passenger presents their vaccination certificate to prove that they have been fully vaccinated.
The Intercity feature is available now to all Grab users in Malaysia.