Grab Glitch Causes Over $1,000 Fares in Singapore, Malaysia

On August 20, Grab's ride-hailing app experienced a temporary system glitch that caused fares in Singapore and Malaysia to be displayed at abnormally high rates, with some short trips showing prices exceeding $1,000 or RM1,000. The error lasted for about 20 minutes around noon before being resolved, and Grab assured customers that the app is now functioning normally and those charged incorrectly will be compensated. Users shared screenshots on social media highlighting these drastic fare hikes, with some fares reportedly reaching over S$1,500 and RM1,500 for short rides. Grab, backed by Uber Technologies, confirmed the pricing spike was a display issue and not reflective of actual charges, emphasizing regret for the inconvenience caused. This incident occurred amid Grab's ongoing competition with Indonesia’s GoTo Group and other regional rivals. The root cause of the glitch was not specified by Grab.