Getting a taxi quickly is the top priority for commuters in any busy city. Singapore people can look forward to easier rides as app cab operator Grab gets its licence to run street-hail taxis.
In a report yesterday, The Straits Times said that after getting its street-hail operator licence, Grab became Singapore’s sixth taxi operator. The licence was give by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore to GrabCab, a subsidiary of GrabRentals.
GrabCab is licensed to start operations with effect from April 9, 2024, and the licence is valid for 10 years, as per an LTA statement on April 2.
As a street-hail taxi service, GrabCab needs to have a minimum fleet size of 800 taxis, and it has been given 3 years’ time by LTA to expand its fleet to meet this requirement.
ST said that “Grab did not disclose GrabCab’s targeted fleet size when asked”.
In a media release (headlined ‘GrabCab Pte Ltd Awarded Street-Hail Service Operator Licence, More Choices for Drivers and Commuters’), LTA said: “GrabCab’s licence terms are consistent with that of other existing street-hail operators. GrabCab must ensure that its taxis are easily identifiable by street-hail customers, including having a prominent roof-top sign and a distinctive livery scheme.”
[GrabCab] vehicle models must be approved by LTA, and must meet requirements such as having sufficient boot space to carry a folded wheelchair or luggage. Its street-hail services must also follow the same taxi fare structure components as other street-hail operators, and its fare must be prominently displayed, so that passengers are informed on the applicable fare rates.
Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore
The ST report quoted a Grab spokesperson as saying: “This [street-hail taxi service licence] enables us to address unmet consumer demand and improve ride availability, particularly during peak hours, late nights and in areas accessible only by taxis.” The spokesperson described Singapore as a “supply-constrained market”.
Grab plans to, reportedly, go greener by gradually introducing GrabCab taxis that will be “popular low- and zero-emission hybrid and electric vehicles from leading manufacturers”, as per the ST report.
