Go-Jek goes from two to four wheels with launch of Uber rival

Indonesia’s motorcycle ride-hailing app Go-Jek today rolled out an app update – but it’s no ordinary update. Apart from a drastic change in the interface, the startup has rolled out a new service called Go-Car, confirming rumors of its foray into a new category.

Go-Car, similar to Uber and GrabCar, taps private car drivers or owners. It’s an addition to Go-Jek’s rapidly expanding range of services, which also covers food and parcel delivery. The startup operates only in Indonesia. In October last year, it secured funding from Sequoia Capital.

Our Jakarta-based correspondent Aditya Hadi tried to book a Go-Car and found a 13.7-kilometer ride to cost US$3.65. For the same distance, Uber charges US$2.78, while GrabCar costs US$4.

Go-Jek also rebranded its cashless payment system Go-Jek Credit to the much more catchy Go-Pay. Users can top up their credit using ATMs and online banking. Go-Jek partnered with three of Indonesia’s biggest banks – Bank Central Asia, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, and Bank Mandiri – for this feature.

Converted from Indonesian rupiah. Rate: US$1 = IDR 13,144.

With reporting from Aditya Hadi.