Urban transportation is undergoing a revolution. In Southeast Asia and beyond, ride-hailing apps are no longer just about getting from point A to B in a private car—they’re becoming a critical part of the multi-modal public transport ecosystem. The integration of ride-hailing services with trains, buses, and bicycles is not only improving commuter convenience but also helping cities reduce congestion, carbon emissions, and inefficient travel gaps.
In this article, we explore how leading ride-hailing platforms are collaborating with public transport operators to deliver seamless, sustainable, and digitally connected mobility in 2025.
Why Integration Matters
Urban commuters often deal with “first-mile” and “last-mile” gaps—the distance between their home or office and the nearest train or bus station. This is where ride-hailing comes in. By plugging into public transport systems, ride-hailing apps:
Make transit more accessible and complete
Reduce private car dependency
Increase public transport ridership
Improve traffic flow and reduce pollution
In 2025, many ride-hailing apps offer options not just for private cars, but also for:
Bikes and e-scooters
Carpooling options to/from stations
Public transport schedule visibility
Ticketing and payment integration
1. Grab’s Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Strategy
Available in: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand
Grab has evolved into Southeast Asia’s leading super app, and in 2025, it plays a central role in helping cities connect ride-hailing with public infrastructure.
Key Integrations:
Transit Discovery: Grab’s app now shows real-time bus and train schedules, alongside GrabCar and GrabBike options.
Route Optimisation: Users get multi-modal journey recommendations—e.g., walk to MRT station, take a train, then book GrabShare to final destination.
Digital Ticketing: Integration with city transit cards like Singapore’s SimplyGo, allowing seamless fare payment via the app.
GrabShuttle Plus: Dynamic routing shared vans that operate along MRT corridors in areas with low bus coverage.
Impact:
In Singapore, over 60% of Grab users have used the app for mixed-mode journeys involving MRT or bus since 2024, significantly improving commuter satisfaction and reducing congestion during peak hours.
2. Gojek’s First-Mile/Last-Mile Focus in Indonesia
Available in: Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, Surabaya
Gojek, now part of GoTo Group, has focused its integration efforts on solving the first-mile/last-mile challenge in Indonesia’s urban centres.
Public Transport Linkages:
Feeder Bike Services: Gojek’s GoRide bikes are often stationed outside BRT stops and commuter train stations in Jakarta.
Train + Ride Combos: Users booking a KAI Commuter Line can pre-book a GoRide or GoCar for pick-up at their arrival station.
Smart Routing: Gojek suggests the nearest TransJakarta or KRL station when calculating trip options.
Multi-modal Promotions: Discounted combos—e.g. GoCar to station + discounted train fare.
Noteworthy Development:
Gojek partnered with Jakarta’s local authorities to offer integrated trip passes, enabling users to pay for both public transport and Gojek rides through a single QR code on their app.
3. Uber Transit Partnerships (Global Pilot Cities)
Available in: New York, London, Sydney, and select Asian cities like Manila and Bangkok
In 2025, Uber continues to expand its Uber Transit initiative, partnering with local transit agencies to offer a real-time trip planning hub within the Uber app.
Features:
Public Transit in the App: Uber shows bus, MRT, and LRT schedules along with pricing and trip duration.
Route Comparison: Riders can choose between UberX, walking + MRT, or a mix of public options.
In-App Transit Tickets: In select cities, users can purchase train or bus tickets directly within the Uber app.
On-Demand Shuttles: In areas with no fixed routes, Uber offers mini-shuttles that dynamically pick up riders based on demand.
Key Benefits:
This reduces friction for tourists, expats, and casual users unfamiliar with local routes, enabling “one-app travel” across cities.
4. Moovit (Acquired by Mobileye/Intel) – The Transit Aggregator
Available in: Over 3,000 cities including Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City
Moovit is not a ride-hailing app per se—but it’s the glue that connects ride-hailing and public transport in many regions. It integrates with services like Uber, Grab, Gojek, and local taxis.
What Moovit Offers:
Multi-modal Route Planning: Find best trip across bus, metro, ride-hailing, scooter
Real-time Public Transit Info: Delays, disruptions, platform changes
Integration with e-wallets for unified fare payment
Partnership with Mobility-as-a-Service platforms to embed into government transport apps
Why It Matters:
In places like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, Moovit is often used as the primary transport app by commuters who want visibility across public + private options, including Grab and local taxis.
5. SPLT (by Bosch) – For Corporate & Urban Integration
Available in: Pilots across Singapore, Jakarta, and Manila in partnership with tech parks and universities
SPLT is a platform developed for enterprise mobility, focusing on companies and institutions that want to reduce car ownership and traffic within campuses and business districts.
Integration Highlights:
Corporate Ride Pools + MRT Feeder Buses
Incentives for Employees who combine carpooling with MRT/bus
Real-Time Transport Dashboard for HR/Facilities teams
Data Sharing with Transit Operators to optimise demand
Use Case:
Singapore Science Park uses SPLT’s platform to coordinate Grab shuttles, bike rentals, and MRT access for over 5,000 employees daily, reducing parking demand and improving commuting time.
Challenges to Integration
Despite the progress, there are still barriers to achieving full ride-hail + public transport synergy:
Data Silos: Some transit authorities are hesitant to share schedules or real-time info with private apps.
Fare Fragmentation: Inconsistent fare structures between public and private services complicate combo ticketing.
Uneven Coverage: Rural or lower-income areas may not have access to either public transport or ride-hailing.
Regulatory Restrictions: Some cities limit how ride-hailing can operate near bus terminals or train stations.
The Future: One App, Every Ride
The trend across Southeast Asia and globally points towards Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)—a future where a single app lets users:
Plan entire journeys using public and private modes
Book, pay, and get real-time updates within one interface
Earn loyalty points or discounts across transport types
Track carbon footprint or time saved
Ride-hailing platforms that embrace this future are moving from being car-only platforms to multi-modal mobility providers.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, ride-hailing apps are no longer working in isolation—they are collaborating with public transit to offer seamless, city-wide transport solutions. Whether through route planning, ticketing, or smart routing, these integrations benefit everyone: commuters save time and money, cities reduce congestion, and the environment benefits from fewer emissions.
As Southeast Asia’s urban centres continue to expand, these collaborations will be essential to building smarter, more sustainable, and commuter-friendly cities.
