Singapore is expanding its trial programme which currently allows Grab drivers to deliver goods and food – taxi and other private hire car operators can now allow their drivers to participate in such delivery services, if they wish.
In a Facebook post, Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan said, "With tighter safe distancing measures, working from home and tele-commuting, demand for home deliveries, whether for food or groceries, has grown."
Many Singapore residents have noted it has become increasingly difficult to obtain a delivery slot across the various online grocery platforms.
"We are also observing a dip in the fulfilment rates for online food deliveries," Khaw said. He acknowledged that the demand for home delivery will only increase in the upcoming weeks as Singapore pushes for more people to work from home.
While Grab is currently running a limited trial to allow its drivers to also deliver goods and food, there are concerns that such services would affect the traditional passenger service, and contributing to traffic jam.
Making the delivery option to taxi and other private hire drivers would also help supplement their income, Khaw explained. This "temporary liberalisation of point-to-point regulations" will take immediate effect till end of June 2020, he added.
