SHAH ALAM - Against the backdrop of Labour Day reflections on workers’ rights and recognition, e-hailing drivers say their daily reality also includes another persistent challenge beyond long hours and traffic: dealing with difficult passengers that can affect both their earnings and wellbeing.
A part-time driver who prefers to be known as Haslee said passenger behaviour can sometimes make an already demanding job even harder.
“I’ve dealt with reckless drivers, wrong pickup locations and even a passenger who ran off without paying,” he said.
Such incidents not only create stress but also affect earnings, especially when time and fuel are wasted.
Haslee said the job also comes at a personal cost, as he often sacrifices weekends with his wife to earn extra income.
“I give up my weekends with my wife. It’s tiring, but we do it to make a living,” he said.
What concerns him just as much is the lack of respect from some passengers.
“We are not employees of the passengers. We are just using the platform to help people get home safely,” he said.
Other drivers shared similar frustrations, particularly when it comes to last-minute cancellations and inaccurate pickup details.
Hamnah Sulaiman said cancellations are especially frustrating when drivers are already near the pickup point.
“Sometimes it expects me to reach in one minute, but traffic makes it impossible,” she said.
She added that while flexibility is one of the main benefits of e-hailing, dealing with such situations can make daily work more stressful.
Despite the challenges, Hamnah hopes for greater understanding from passengers.
“Even a small positive comment can boost our morale,” she said.
For many drivers, respect and awareness from passengers can make a significant difference, shaping not only their income but also their overall experience on the road.