MYDD, on-demand personal designated driver app in Malaysia

Commonly applied to refer to the one particular accountable pal who stays sober, designated motorists engage in arguably a single of the most vital roles at a occasion.

But as appreciative as we are for these dependable pals who abstain from alcohol so as to generate absolutely everyone else back again dwelling, they have earned a split as well.

So arrived the rise of hired selected drivers. A popular company in South Korea, these “replacement” or “substitute” drivers’ work opportunities are to run the owner’s automobile for them.

Of system, this assistance is helpful not only when the car’s proprietor is inebriated, but also for different conditions when the proprietors are unable to operate their individual motor vehicle. Explanations could incorporate lethargy or even accidents.

And in contrast to calling for a taxi or Get, applying specified driver services negates the will need for the operator to uncover their way again to their vehicles the next day. Overnight parking expenses are undoubtedly not a joke.

Observing the potential of these types of a enterprise, Chong Zhao Xian founded MYDD (or MY Specified Driver) in December 2020.

With no prior experience with entrepreneurship, Chong knew he experienced a hard process in advance.

“However, I have seven a long time of ERP undertaking management practical experience, and I consider that I could run this small business and lead it to a successful path,” he shared with Vulcan Article.

Though he’s nevertheless operating as an data systems manager at K.K. Steel Processing, a regional metallic processing factory, he offers MYDD ample notice and perform for it to be regarded his next entire-time position.

After a collection of hurdles this sort of as the pandemic, the firm lastly introduced its specified driver service in June 2022.

Hygiene as a competitive edge

Those acquainted with designated driver products and services in Malaysia will be knowledgeable of Buddy Driver, an on-demand from customers particular driver assistance that we have lined in the past also.

In particular thinking of that Buddy Driver is working less than a well-recognized peer-to-peer motor vehicle-sharing platform regarded as TREVO, it looks like breaking totally free from the levels of competition would pose a challenge to MYDD.

However, the MYDD founder believes that his support is differentiated in a couple of means.

For a single, on Buddy Driver, the earliest timeslot customers can e-book is one particular hour ahead. Nonetheless, Chong statements that MYDD’s reserving is “instant” and consequently extra convenient.

Over and above that, something else highlighted by MYDD is its emphasis on cleanliness. MYDD motorists are equipped with hygiene addresses for the car’s seat, steering wheel, and gear change to give the car or truck proprietors peace of thoughts.

1 other factor I recognized was Buddy Driver is at this time housed below the TREVO application. When downloading the TREVO application, buyers have to initial have to indication up in advance of they can even obtain the Buddy Driver support, which can make it a minimal baffling.

As such, MYDD’s app arguably might aid in producing it additional recognisable and searchable.

Price-sensible, nevertheless, MYDD appears to be fewer aggressive.

Buddy Driver’s premiums are fixed at RM30 for the to start with hour and RM20 for each individual subsequent hour. Considering that a comprehensive hour can get you to lots of places within the Klang Valley, this looks to be fair pricing.

Nevertheless, MYDD expenses a flat RM35 scheduling price and RM4 for every kilometre travelled.

Although I could get home from my office for RM30 by means of Buddy Driver, it would choose me RM90 through MYDD.

The lookup for expert drivers

In contrast to becoming an e-hailing driver, operating as a specified driver can be far more demanding simply because these kinds of drivers will have to know how to operate distinctive varieties of motor vehicles.

MYDD serves the two automobile and manual vehicles, together with sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and MPVs. As this sort of, its drivers are predicted to be in a position to take care of all of them.

The a person style of car the app doesn’t provide are supercars, as Chong thinks most drivers will not be ready to function them.

To indicator up as a driver with MYDD, the applicant will have to fill in a sort on-line or by means of the MYDD driver app. The MYDD operation crew will then speak to the candidates for a facial area-to-experience interview.

In accordance to Chong, MYDD motorists must have at minimum 4 many years of driving working experience without any involvement in crimes or serious car accidents ahead of. He also reported that drivers ought to have no addictions to alcohol, however that could be tricky to measure.

MYDD drivers start off off with 30% of the fares, although Chong stated it will improve primarily based on finished trip counts.

As a additionally, the firm reportedly arranges transportation for MYDD motorists to access users’ locations and also commute dwelling.

“We will also go over parking charges for the motorists if applicable,” Chong shared. “I imagine it’s a little something unique from our competitor.”

Prompted by inquiries from people, MYDD has also launched quick-term and very long-expression driver expert services on its web site.

These hunting for a non-recurring driver for the working day with a minimal of nine hrs will benefit from the shorter-time period driver services. On the other hand, the long-term driver service is a month-to-month driver subscription.

Both equally quick-expression and extended-time period driver expert services are not out there in the application still, but clients can get to out to the MYDD group by email or social media for any inquiries.

Problems of a new startup

Because of to the extra demanding nature of the occupation when compared to e-hailing, recruiting motorists has been a battle for MYDD.

“To get ones who are self-confident in driving several types of automobile is fairly hard,” Chong admitted.

Teaching this sort of drivers can be expensive as well, building it a little something a new startup like MYDD wouldn’t actually want to get into.

Thankfully, Chong has been in a position to secure funding from person investors, with the important ones getting administrators from Chong’s workplace, K.K. Metal Processing.

“Our foreseeable future program is to invite venture capitalists to be a part of our organization,” Chong extra. “We want money to construct a entire operational workforce to mature the enterprise faster, particularly as we have competitors.”

Other than investors, a further kind of companion MYDD would profit from would be an coverage company.

When every single car or truck on the street in Malaysia have to legally be insured, if any mishaps were being to arise, there might be surplus costs that require to be paid out. In these regrettable instances, Chong reported that the team would be ready to spend up if applicable.

On the other hand, he believes that these incidences ought to be shielded by another, additional precise kind of coverage.

“In Malaysia, we do not have the correct insurance plan to include on-demand specified driver companies,” Chong explained. “We know this [kind of] company in Taiwan is lined by insurance coverage, and the small business [was able to] go successfully.”

Chong hopes to replicate that achievement regionally, with plans to increase outside of the Klang Valley and arrive at Johor and Penang by the conclusion of this 12 months or early following 12 months.

• Study much more about MYDD right here.
• Read other article content we’ve published about Malaysian startups listed here.

Highlighted Image Credit: MYDD