RadarBali reports that while Bali’s fuel shortage crisis has created a surge in demand for online motorcycle and four-wheel vehicle online ride-summoning operators, drivers have become much more selective about which passengers they want to carry.
In one instance, a passenger waiting for a GoJek ride of 8 kilometers on Thursday, 15 October 2026, waited more than 2.5 hours for a pick-up despite repeated messages that the designated driver assured his ride was less than 8 minutes away. Apparently, because drivers must spend many hours in gasoline queues, they are carefully picking and choosing passengers, preferring to transport people to nearby destinations that require minimal gasoline.
Quoted by RadarBali, Dudi, a ride-hailing driver, explained on Friday, 16 October 2026, that he is now paying much closer attention to both the pickup distance and the passenger’s final destination. Adding: “Personally, I still accept requests for distances of 2 to 3 kilometers. But anything beyond 4 kilometers doesn’t seem worth it given the current situation. Currently, the net standard fare I receive is around Rp 8,800 per kilometer.”
Dudi also noted that the government has established a pricing scheme for ride-hailing services with upper and lower limits, where trips between 0 and 4 kilometers fall under the lower-limit category.
Amid Bali’s fuel shortage, the potential for receiving ride requests is very high; however, a significant portion of drivers’ operational time is now being consumed elsewhere. Drivers were spending 2 to 3 hours just waiting in line for fuel. Consequently, while their total earnings may not have dropped drastically, the time and energy they expend have increased significantly.
To secure an average daily income of Rp 300,000, this online driver—originally from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara—has had to become creative, even sacrificing his own rest time. He now refuels his Honda Beat late at night. “I usually start queuing for fuel at 11:00 PM and don’t finish until 1:00 or 1:30 AM. Sometimes, I struggle to stay awake and end up dozing off while sitting on my motorcycle. I have to queue for fuel at least once a day just to be able to work the next day,” Dudi said
A similar situation was shared by another ride-hailing driver, Queen, 39. Unlike under normal circumstances—when she could take on many orders—she now constantly worries about running out of fuel on the road.
She carefully evaluates every incoming order. She doesn’t just look at the distance; she also monitors the traffic conditions of the route.
”Even for a short trip, I always check the route first. I look for shortcuts and make sure to avoid areas prone to traffic congestion or roads near gas stations,” Queen explained.
The woman, who previously worked at a private bank, chose the profession of an online driver because it offers flexibility.
However, with a daily routine of 8 to 12 hours spent transporting passengers and delivering food, the fuel shortage has forced her to plan her routes more strategically to keep her business running smoothly.
Related Links
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