oBike will integrate GrabPay into its app

It is an alliance between giants from two transport industries — one powered by two wheels and other by four wheels (and gas).

Today, oBike has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Grab to integrate the latter’s mobile payment platform GrabPay into its app. This will give oBike users a second option to pay for rides. Currently, they have to top up credits in the oBike wallet by either using their credit/debit or EZ-link cards.

This initiative is currently localised to Singapore and will potentially convert oBike’s one million local riders to Grab users.

Using GrabPay, oBike users will also be able to earn GrabReward points, which can be used to redeem products such as Starbucks vouchers or Singapore Airline’s KrisFlyer miles.

An official press statement stated that two more joint initiatives between Grab and oBike, which are aimed at improving the on-demand transport infrastructure in Singapore, are currently in the works. oBike did not provide further information.

Also Read: Grab acquires Bangalore-based payments startup iKaaz

“I believe that this partnership, between two market leaders, is a natural extension of our goal to enhance the bike-sharing experience for commuters and strengthen our position as Singapore’s first bike-sharing operator,” said Tim Phang, General Manager, oBike Singapore.

Late last year, Grab began trialling its full-suite version of GrabPay, allowing users to use the mobile wallet to make payments at offline merchants, such as hawker stalls and retail stores; it also allows users to conduct p2p money transfers.

Like Alibaba’s Alipay or Tencent’s WeChat payment, Grab wants to build an ecosystem where users can make all (or at least, most) transactions on one universal payment platform. Doing so will allow Grab to supercharge growth in its rider-base, ensure riders’ loyalty, as well as generate revenue outside its primary ride-hailing business.

—

Image Credit: oBike

The post Singapore’s oBike is eyeing a close alliance with Grab appeared first on e27.