GrabCab, a subsidiary of ride-hailing app Grab, is now Singapore’s newest and sixth taxi operator. The LTA gave the company its official taxi operator licence last April 2 and will be valid for the next 10 years.
GRABCAB IN SINGAPORE
Beginning April 9, GrabCab is the newest addition to Singapore’s list of taxi operators. According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), GrabCab is required to meet the conditions set by its licence, including a fleet size of 800 taxis.
“GrabCab’s entry into the street-hail sector brings the total number of taxi operators to six, providing drivers and commuters with more choices and is expected to boost taxi supply,” said the government office to Channel News Asia.
However,GrabCab is a taxi addition to Grab’s services and not a replacement. Grab will maintain its private-hire services. The addition was made to address concerns regarding Singapore’s taxi-only areas, such as event venues and industrial areas.
“This enables us to address unmet consumer demand and improve ride availability, particularly during peak hours, late nights and in areas accessible only by taxis,” said a Grab spokesperson to The Strait Times. “It also positions us to better serve the anticipated growth in point-to-point rides in the coming years, while catering to consumers who prefer street hailing.”
THE LTA’S REQUIREMENTS
The LTA will also evaluate if Grab’s chosen fleet vehicles meet their requirements. Examples of the LTA’s vehicle requirements include visual identifiers such as a livery scheme and rooftop sign. These identifiers will make it easier for passengers to recognise their taxis. Additionally, the vehicle models must have enough trunk space to accommodate folded wheelchairs and luggage. Drivers must also display their fares for passengers and Grab must comply with the same fare structure as its fellow taxi operators.
In conjunction with its initiative to electrify its fleets across Southeast Asia, Grab will add a low- and zero-emissions vehicle feature to its GrabCab services.
Grab told The Strait Times they will install telematic features in all its vehicles to monitor driver behaviour and ensure ride safety for its passengers. The ride-hailing company plans to use a “relief matching marketplace” for its drivers to reduce the risk of third-party substitutes. Additionally, Grab’s agreement with its drivers is non-exclusive, meaning; drivers are free to provide services for other operators.
For drivers without vocational licences, Grab announced that it would sponsor course fees for a Taxi Driver’s Vocational License and six months of membership fees from the National Taxi Association.
Grab will release more information regarding GrabCab in the following year.
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