Tuk-Tuk Drivers Clash with Grab Over Rising Costs

Hundreds of tuk-tuk drivers in Phnom Penh staged a protest on Friday, demanding higher fares and lower commission fees from ride-hailing giant Grab as fuel prices continue to soar.

Gathering on Koh Pich, the drivers voiced frustration at mounting financial pressures, particularly the sharp rise in LPG costs. “We are asking the company to increase fares per trip because LPG costs have gone up significantly,” one driver told local media, explaining that current earnings barely cover fuel expenses.

The group is calling for a base rate of 1,200 riel per kilometre and a cut in Grab’s commission to between 12 and 15 percent. At present, fares range from 950 to 3,500 riel depending on time and conditions, according to Grab Cambodia’s Public Affairs Manager, Kan Chhunnat. He insisted the company has already introduced measures to support drivers, including new incentives rolled out on 10 March.

Under the updated scheme, a fixed 300 riel per trip incentive was replaced with a cashback system. Drivers now receive five percent of daily earnings if they complete fewer than 19 rides, and 10 percent if they complete more than 20. Grab also provides weekly fuel vouchers worth between $5 and $15 to 2,000 top-performing drivers, alongside additional support such as drink distributions during extreme heat.

Despite these measures, many drivers say the assistance falls short of covering rising costs. The protest highlights growing tensions between ride-hailing platforms and workers struggling to cope with global fuel price hikes. Cambodia has been hit hard by recent geopolitical shocks, including a US-Israeli strike on Iran that disrupted supply routes.

Queues of tuk-tuks have become a daily sight at LPG stations, with prices climbing to around 3,900 riel per litre this week at Kampuchea Tela Oil and Gas Company. For drivers, the squeeze is immediate: higher fuel costs, unchanged fares, and commissions they feel are too steep.

As the standoff continues, Grab faces pressure to balance consumer affordability with driver livelihoods. For Cambodia’s tuk-tuk operators, the protest is a clear signal that patience is running thin in the face of rising costs and shrinking margins.

-2026-04-04