Singapore Grab driver wins hearts by offering snacks to passengers

Hansen, a corporate trainer in her 40s, was immediately struck by Pang’s car interior, which featured bottled water, charging cables, potted plants, and neatly organized shelves of snacks—one side for adults and one for children.

"I was really hungry and going home for lunch," Hansen, a corporate trainer in her 40s, recalled. "I thought I could find something that could tide me over because he had many treats."

Hansen picked semi-dried fruit from the adult section and strawberry chewy candy from the kids’ side. After experiencing Pang’s exceptional hospitality, Hansen asked if he was well-known. "No no no, not famous, not famous, always humble," Pang, 50, humbly replied.

During the 15-minute ride, she was treated to more than just snacks as he shared life lessons rooted in simplicity and humility. "Downgrade your house, downgrade your career, downgrade your lifestyle," he advised. "Stay humble. Always number two. Then you stay safe. Everyone goes after number one."

Inside the car of Singaporean grab driver Pang Tze Wei. Photo courtesy of Heather Hansen's Facebook

Hansen, a mother of two, found his words refreshing. "It was a breath of fresh air," she said. "He was dishing out these pearls of wisdom the entire ride. It felt like he was sent into my life at that moment for a reason."

Moved by the experience, Hansen shared it on Facebook and LinkedIn, where her posts quickly went viral, garnering more than 4,000 interactions and over 240 shares.

Other passengers who had experienced Pang’s hospitality also shared their thoughts. "Took his ride last week," wrote Jessie Tan. "A happy-go-lucky driver... (I) had a wonderful and safe journey." Facebook user TP Tay commented: "The best is he sets his own KPIs and pace of work... he lives what he is doing – driving."

Pang said he left his corporate job nearly a decade ago to become a full-time taxi driver. His value-added service stems from his attention to the needs of passengers. Initially, he offered phone chargers, then began giving out bottled water to those waiting under the hot sun. Over time, he introduced snacks, which have now grown into a fully stocked setup in his car.

Pang spends around SGD60 (US$46.54) each week to restock his car with snacks, ensuring the items cater to both children and adults. The items, he added, are not cheap. "One lollipop is SGD2," he said.

To maintain cleanliness, he sticks to dry, bite-sized snacks that will not create a mess and vacuums the car every evening. "I don’t restrict passengers from taking too many, as long as they are hungry," he said.

For Pang, it is not about tips, ratings, or fame. "I never link customer service with money," he added. "If I can do a good deed a day, it will brighten people’s day."