Grab Indonesia shuts driver subscription program

Grab Indonesia said on May 20 it will shut the Akses Hemat subscription program for GrabBike drivers as it reviews pricing and seeks a more sustainable model.

GrabBike Hemat will remain available to consumers with fee adjustments, the company said.

GrabBike Standard fares have not risen so far.

Grab also said it will continue driver support programs such as insurance and scholarships.

The company also plans to work with the government on the news transport regulation for two-wheel transport drivers.

🔗 Source: Grab Indonesia

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

An 8% cap is changing the math for ride-hailing apps

Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 27 of 2026 limits platform commission cuts from driver partners to 8%. Grab’s CFO expects it to cover two-wheel online transport drivers 1.
That is down from the 20% ceiling set in a 2022 Ministry of Transportation decree, known as Kepmenhub. The lower cap changes how ride-hailing companies make money 2.
Platform commissions help pay for daily operations, promotions for food delivery, and other services 1.
Grab’s leadership said the policy marks a sharp shift in how ride-hailing marketplaces work. Its CFO said the company is reworking its business model in Indonesia 2.

The rule may lift prices and strain smaller rivals

With less commission income, platforms may cut promotions, raise fares, or change other fees. Those moves may lift costs for consumers 1.
The cap may suit larger players such as Grab and GoTo, Indonesia’s biggest tech group, because they may have more room to adjust. Smaller rivals may face more strain. That group includes Maxim, a ride-hailing company founded in Russia. It also includes inDrive, a mobility platform where riders and drivers negotiate fares. That pressure may lead to consolidation, though the outcome is not certain 2.
The policy moves Indonesia’s gig economy toward a hybrid model. Drivers keep partner status, while the state sets clearer minimum standards and takes a larger role in platform-driver relations 2.