inDrive is accelerating its growth in Malaysia, reaffirming its commitment to fair and flexible ride-hailing while meeting the growing demand in the region. With an emphasis on supporting drivers, improving service quality, and promoting sustainable mobility solutions, the company is poised to strengthen its foothold in Malaysia’s evolving urban transport ecosystem.
Over the past year, inDrive has achieved remarkable growth in Malaysia, making significant strides in the highly competitive ride-hailing market. As of August 2024, the platform recorded a 53.7% increase in rides, a 56.1% jump in active users, and a 36.1% rise in active drivers. This outpaces the growth seen in 2022 and 2023, when rides grew by 21.6%, users by 16.8%, and drivers by 23.3%. The surge reflects growing trust in inDrive’s transparent and user-centric approach among Malaysian passengers and drivers. Globally, the platform has surpassed an impressive milestone of 5 billion completed deals and now operates in 888 cities across 48 countries.
Mark Tolley, Macroregional Director for APAC at inDrive, highlighted the significance of this growth, stating, “Our success in Malaysia underscores the strength of our model, which emphasizes fairness, flexibility, and user empowerment. As urban mobility evolves, there’s a clear preference for platforms that adapt to local needs while supporting both drivers and passengers. With our expansion in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia, we’re scaling operations while staying ahead of global trends in technology, sustainability, and multi-service mobility.”
The global ride-hailing sector is projected to experience sustained growth, driven by urbanization, changing consumer behaviors, and advancements in mobility technology. Southeast Asia, in particular, remains a key growth region, with the market expected to generate USD 9.41 billion (RM 41.6 billion) by 2025, growing at a 5.21% CAGR through 2029. In Malaysia, revenue is forecasted to reach USD 0.51 billion (RM 2.2 billion) by 2025, with a 2.82% CAGR through 2029, underlining the ongoing demand for affordable and efficient transportation options.
To support this growth, inDrive plans to expand its presence in Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor Bahru by establishing localized driver support centers in key cities. These centers will offer assistance, training, and improved accessibility for drivers. The company aims to exceed 40,000 registered drivers in Malaysia by the end of 2025 by enhancing earning opportunities, fostering stronger collaborations with driver associations, and providing localized support.
The ride-hailing industry is also seeing increased attention to gig worker welfare across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Discussions around driver rights, fair compensation, and benefits are encouraging platforms to adopt better support structures. inDrive is taking steps to strengthen insurance coverage and build partnerships with driver and taxi associations, advocating for improved security and financial stability for drivers.
Sustainability is another driving force in the industry’s transformation. As governments and private stakeholders push for electric vehicle (EV) adoption and carbon reduction initiatives, inDrive is exploring partnerships with EV manufacturers to develop greener mobility solutions. These efforts align with regulatory goals to lower carbon emissions and create a more sustainable transport ecosystem.
Mohamed Khalil, Regional Driver Acquisition and Activation Team Lead at inDrive Malaysia, commented, “The future of ride-hailing lies in building a resilient and sustainable ecosystem for both drivers and passengers. Beyond expansion, we are committed to long-term initiatives that support drivers’ financial well-being and career growth through tailored assistance and training. As Malaysia transitions toward greener mobility, we are also working to help drivers adopt sustainable vehicle options, ensuring they remain integral to the industry’s progress.”
As inDrive looks to 2025 and beyond, its focus remains on expanding across Southeast Asia, embracing emerging mobility trends, and contributing to the global evolution of urban transport solutions.
