Following Go-Jek’s lead, GrabBike now testing deliveries in Jakarta

GrabTaxi, the on-demand transportation app, today launched its parcel delivery feature GrabExpress in Indonesia.

The new feature GrabExpress became available for GrabTaxi app users in Jakarta today

With this roll-out, GrabExpress is trailing behind its major Indonesian rival, Go-Jek, by almost a year. The homegrown “Uber for motorcycles” added an instant courier option in Indonesia back in January. Go-Jek includes food delivery as well.

See: GrabTaxi’s journey to a billion-dollar startup – INFOGRAPHIC

GrabTaxi originally started as a taxi hailing app for Southeast Asia that collaborates with cab companies. It soon branched out to include other modes of transportation and launched GrabBike, its own version of Uber for motorcycles, in Indonesia in May.

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GrabExpress is part of GrabBike – which means the maximum size of the package that can be delivered is limited because the transportation will be handled by a motorcycle rider.

“We’re serving packages up to 5kg, with the maximum dimensions of 25 x 32 x 12 cm,” said Kiki Rizki, GrabTaxi country head of marketing for Indonesia.

She added that the express courier service was launched after observing what the market demands are. “We understand the customers want their goods right now, which isn’t easy in Jakarta, being one of the most congested cities,” she explained.

With this feature, GrabTaxi appropriated a service pioneered by Go-Jek in this market, and this move is likely to heat up the competition between the two companies.

Asked whether other Go-Jek services like food delivery, personal shopping, and beauty services will soon become part of the GrabBike/GrabExpress service, Kiki said cryptically, “GrabTaxi is still on expansion mode, so having a mission to revolutionize the transport industry in Southeast Asia, we will deliver what the [country or city] requires.”