Uber rides within JB

[MsDreamy]

I just tried using uber for the first time in JB and my first experience was quite bad.. As my phone does not have internet access, I rely on free wifi from restaurant.

Since I have heard one of my friends said its safe, so I decided to give it a try.. I managed to book a uber at City Square Mall to Taman Sentosa but I selected the pick up location at Komtar JBCC since I find there is a big pick up point compared to City Square. There was no box for me to key in remark to wait at pick up point and I assume the driver would know to pick me up opposite Caltex at the grab pick up point, because there is no way to pick me up along the busy one lane Jalan Wong Ah Fook side. Within 1 min, I saw the profile picture of a Malay driver BUT there was no car plate number given. Only have the car model. So Strange! But I still proceeded to JBCC pick up point ...piangz.. waited 10 mins still no sight then I ran up to City Square to use wifi again.. and saw the driver at Jalan Wong Ah Fook side, so I rushed there but did not see any Perodua Alza. Then I went back to City Square to cancel the booking - wasted 30mins. Saw that there will be cancellation charge of RM5 the next time I book my uber. I checked my history it say no cancellation fee, hopefully wont charge me the next time I chose credit card payment. The driver did not contact me cause mine is SG mobile line.

Then coming back from Taman Sentosa, I did not give up and decided to give uber one more shot. This time round I booked the uber in Old Town, managed to see the remark box and left a remark to wait outside Grand Sentosa Hotel (easier for the driver to find) and also within 1 min saw a uber driver on his way to pick me. Same only reflect the driver profile picture, car model but NO car plate number given. Is this normal? It is towards the last 1 min before the driver reach me that I saw his car plate number appearing on my screen.

This time luckier a Chinese man picked me up. and I got to chat with him and asked him why I cannot see his car plate number. He said maybe I need to update my app. (its already latest leh, dont know why too). He told me he is full time grab + uber driver when I asked him if uber is his part time job. Then when I asked him if Uber or grab cheaper, he said Grab is more expensive by a few ringgits BUT its fixed fee regardless of traffic condition. Think if got heavy traffic jam, taking Grab seem a better option. I reached my destination safely - paid RM6 (actual was RM5.91) from Taman Sentosa to City Square in a clean and pretty new Ford Fiesta. Not bad leh!

I learnt something - I must have internet access from the moment I click the " book" button until I see the car plate number given to me. But experts, is it normal for me to see the driver's car plate number only when the car is approaching the pick up location?? (I only used uber twice in Singapore and dont have much experience in using the app but remember I saw the car plate number and the profile picture as soon as the driver accepted the booking)

 

[Magickiller9]

Maybe the data didn't get sent through etc. just get a prepaid card if u wanna use uber. Or else troublesome for you and driver. Waste each other time

 

[MsDreamy]

Maybe the data didn't get sent through etc. just get a prepaid card if u wanna use uber. Or else troublesome for you and driver. Waste each other time

I wanted to get a Malaysian sim card but I feel not safe to give a copy of nric or passport to the shop. haiz.

 

[Habrosus]

I wanted to get a Malaysian sim card but I feel not safe to give a copy of nric or passport to the shop. haiz.

If you think you can't trust those dealer shops, you'll have to go to the telco centers to get your prepaid card. Maxis and Digi centers are in Danga Bay, and both as well as Celcom are in Taman Molek.

As earlier advice, having a MY prepaid card with data will enable you to see the car's location and for the driver to call you if necessary.

 

[invisible999]

If you think you can't trust those dealer shops, you'll have to go to the telco centers to get your prepaid card. Maxis and Digi centers are in Danga Bay, and both as well as Celcom are in Taman Molek.

As earlier advice, having a MY prepaid card with data will enable you to see the car's location and for the driver to call you if necessary.

Guys.

If you have Singtel, adding 1GB of roaming data via Maxis is $10/mo. At least it is for my corp plan. I do not think that for private plans it is that more expensive.

Get this roaming data enabled and your problem goes away.

 

[Habrosus]

Guys.

If you have Singtel, adding 1GB of roaming data via Maxis is $10/mo. At least it is for my corp plan. I do not think that for private plans it is that more expensive.

Get this roaming data enabled and your problem goes away.

That will solve the data access issue, so will M1 and Starhub prepaid cards as well, but how willing are the drivers to call a foreign number for verification of exact pick-up point?

 

[MsDreamy]

That will solve the data access issue, so will M1 and Starhub prepaid cards as well, but how willing are the drivers to call a foreign number for verification of exact pick-up point?

btw recently i went to buy M1 prepaid card which has 100MB free data (from M1 website it say can be use in Malaysia if select Celcom network). I did that but dont have 3G in JB! I dont need the driver to call me cause the places I go to only KSL, Taman Sentosa. Will need to indicate under remarks the actual pick up point like outside KFC, outside Coffee Bean if I m at KSL.

Just now saw a seller selling Malaysian prepaid card on hwz at $12 (shopee $9.90) no need to give copy of nric n passport BUT he say need my full name, passpprt/NRIC n address n he will help me register. 28months validity.. if only i dont have to provide my details, its a good buy. But i dont think i can buy a malaysian sim card without giving any personal details.

 

[Habrosus]

btw recently i went to buy M1 prepaid card which has 100MB free data (from M1 website it say can be use in Malaysia if select Celcom network). I did that but dont have 3G in JB! I dont need the driver to call me cause the places I go to only KSL, Taman Sentosa. Will need to indicate under remarks the actual pick up point like outside KFC, outside Coffee Bean if I m at KSL.

Just now saw a seller selling Malaysian prepaid card on hwz at $12 (shopee $9.90) no need to give copy of nric n passport BUT he say need my full name, passpprt/NRIC n address n he will help me register. 28months validity.. if only i dont have to provide my details, its a good buy. But i dont think i can buy a malaysian sim card without giving any personal details.

I used part of my free data from the M1 prepaid card in JB last week and it's fine. I was around City Square and Komtar JBCC area. Did you activate auto-roaming beforehand? (Oh yes, go check M1's website - I think there are certain categories of data we can't use abroad.)

Like our practice here in SG, all SIM packs in MY have to be registered before activation and usage.

If you look hard enough, you may find pre-registered prepaid cards for sale out there. Are you willing to use a prepaid card registered in the name of a stranger whose history you've no knowledge of? There's also the risk of the card being cancelled without your knowledge, like when the actual card "owner" makes a report about it and have it cancelled by the telco.

 

[MsDreamy]

I used part of my free data from the M1 prepaid card in JB last week and it's fine. I was around City Square and Komtar JBCC area. Did you activate auto-roaming beforehand? (Oh yes, go check M1's website - I think there are certain categories of data we can't use abroad.)

Like our practice here in SG, all SIM packs in MY have to be registered before activation and usage.

If you look hard enough, you may find pre-registered prepaid cards for sale out there. Are you willing to use a prepaid card registered in the name of a stranger whose history you've no knowledge of? There's also the risk of the card being cancelled without your knowledge, like when the actual card "owner" makes a report about it and have it cancelled by the telco.

Oh.. I did not activate auto-roaming leh.. is it once reach JB need to press #100*8*1#? Think I will try again when I go in.

Emm.. maybe I try to use my old passport (which yet to expire) to buy a sim card at those telco shops at KSL. Dont know can bo.. I go try try. Digi the best? Actually the one offered by the seller on hwz/shopee not bad 28 months validity period. Normal digi prepaid card around 1 month validity?

 

[Habrosus]

Oh.. I did not activate auto-roaming leh.. is it once reach JB need to press #100*8*1#? Think I will try again when I go in.

Emm.. maybe I try to use my old passport (which yet to expire) to buy a sim card at those telco shops at KSL. Dont know can bo.. I go try try. Digi the best? Actually the one offered by the seller on hwz/shopee not bad 28 months validity period. Normal digi prepaid card around 1 month validity?

Check out the data roaming page, and the FAQ. This may be the 100MB you're trying to use:

4. Can I use my 100GB Bonus Data bundle in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia & Taiwan?
No.

Can't comment about the use of an old passport. If you're interested in DiGi Prepaid, you can see the features of the 2 (DiGi Smart and DiGi Best) offered and their validity periods.

Alternatively, you can check out the Hotlink FAST to see if the features suit your needs/expectations. If you go through the last few pages in the Malaysian Prepaid Cards thread, some members have shared tips on how to get the most out of this prepaid card.

If you're considering OneXOX, it's offering its 28-month validity with the RM10 reload before 30 June 2016. I don't know about now, but you can check with the dealer over in his thread in the Marketplace.

 

[dreamer_jul]

Been using the M1 card the past 2 times I went in to JB, all working fine. U have to activate data roaming on the card n in your phone. The instructions can be found in the booklet in the pack when u purchased the SIM card. No issues using the free data bundle.

 

[invisible999]

That will solve the data access issue, so will M1 and Starhub prepaid cards as well, but how willing are the drivers to call a foreign number for verification of exact pick-up point?

Driver does not call, system sends SMS/app message. Plus, if you provide enough details in the message where you are located, he would not need to call either.

 

[Habrosus]

Driver does not call, system sends SMS/app message. Plus, if you provide enough details in the message where you are located, he would not need to call either.

I've had Grab drivers calling me to check on exact location, sometimes to request if I could move to another nearby spot so that they need not drive a big round to pick me up. These were all just meters away from me to just cut through (we could see each other), so I'd just walk over.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm happy they did as I also learned to choose a better spot to wait in future to facilitate the pick-up.

 

[MsDreamy]

I tried taking private car rides on Saturday and I managed to use the free 3G on my prepaid card in JB after you guys told me need to activate auto roaming. Yes, need to press #100*8*1# and then enable roaming plus switch on my 3G, mobile data settings..finally able to!!

hehe this time round I tried Grab car. But beforehand, I logged in uber and did a test on my price ..ended up said no taxi and there would be a 2.1x surge- cost more than RM11 from JBCC to KSL and the uber car may arrive 15mins later.. emm.. then next I tried to do the same test on Grab and was surprised to see many taxi icons popping up on screen and the cost was a flat fee of RM6. And the best part still can apply 50% discount code. (See this: https://www.grab.com/my/half-priced-grabcar-rides-raya/)

So I proceeded to click the "book" button and within 30 seconds a screen pop up with the driver's name, car model and car plate number and said arriving in 3mins.. great!
Managed to leave clearer instructions "JBCC Grab pick up point, opposite Caltex, I m wearing green tshirt". Super clear instructions given, not possible not to find me ba. Within 1 min after I reached JBCC Grab pick up point, tdriver reached the pick up point and sent me to KSL.. only paid RM3!!!

Coming back also was easy, cost RM7 but with 50% code paid RM3.50. And the driver also arrived within 2mins after I pressed the book button, with all the details given. A Malay driver this time.. a bit worried initially when the screen pop up a Malay driver ...but he was polite and friendly and spoke basic English! When I saw the taxi stand at City Square very packed, I told him that he can alight me at JBCC pick up point but he said its alright and continue driving to City square taxi stand..

Both rides I gave I rated 5*****.

I think next time I will just use Grab when I am in JB cause its cheaper, faster and really good service. While conversing with the Malay driver, I realise they need to go attend some briefing before they start driving..so think its quite safe overall even if its a Malay driving a Proton with stickers but his car was clean no smoke smell.

I prefer Grab though. Uber abit strange on my phone cause need wait quite long for the car to arrive and does not show the car plate number instantly. Grab cars really fast!!

 

[qsecofr]

thanks for your report.

is grab driver using normal taxi or private car like uber ?

tks

 

[Habrosus]

thanks for your report.

is grab driver using normal taxi or private car like uber ?

tks

Grab Taxi - Taxi
Grab Car - Private Car

 

[invisible999]

I think next time I will just use Grab when I am in JB cause its cheaper, faster and really good service.

Did you pay cash or via credit card define in the app?

 

[qsecofr]

Grab Taxi - Taxi
Grab Car - Private Car

which do you recommend to take ? taxi or car ?

 

[Habrosus]

which do you recommend to take ? taxi or car ?

In JB, definitely Grab Car.

Much better condition.

 

[lodylody]

personally I prefer Grab rather than Uber