Singapore taxi operator ComfortDelGro on Thursday announced that it is adding 25 private-hire cars to its fleet as part of a ride-hailing trial. The cars are not allowed to do street hires, but will be available for booking from February 4 on its app. The service will is similar to the JustGrab option on Grab’s mobile app.
In terms of pricing, the company said that it follows ComfortRIDE’s current fare structure. The booking fee will be lower than the market rate during the trial, which means more earnings for those who join the scheme early. When the trial ends in March, it will assess the response and then gradually open it up to more private-hire cars.
Back in October, ComfortDelGro was awarded a three-year ride-hailing service operator license under the new Point-to-Point (P2P) Passenger Transport Industry Act. The bill aims to regulate ride-hailing fares and make it more transparent with clear pricing policies.
ComfortDelGro is Singapore’s biggest taxi company with over 10,000 cabs. It had made an earlier foray into the market in late 2017 when it partnered with ride-hailing giant Uber allowing its taxis to be booked through the Uber app. However, the partnership fell through when Grab announced it was acquiring Uber’s business in Southeast Asia.
This new trial could be a way for the taxi operator to cope with the losses it has been suffering following the drop in business during COVID-19. According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), demand for rides is hovering at about 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Some drivers reported up to 70% less income during the “circuit breaker” period as tourist numbers fell and many people worked from home.