Grab ride sign states that passengers will be charged a premium if the aircon and seats are adjusted without the driver's permission
On r/Singapore on May 24, u/hkgnp appeared to think this could be part of company policy rather than something only the driver imposed.
'This is probably already old news, but does anyone know when this was implemented? Was asked by a Grab driver not to adjust the seat; if not, I would be charged a premium, and was directed to the message. Was wondering if this was Grab or driver specific,' the post author wrote.
They posted a photo of the sign, which reads as follows:
'Due to a limited four-seater car, a premium 6-seater will arrive shortly for your trip. Please DO NOT adjust the seat and the Aircon Switch without asking for the driver's permission. If you choose to adjust, then u will charge as a Premium fare. TQ for your kind understanding in this matter (sic).' See also Morning Digest, Mar 31 Screenshot
The post spawned a lively conversation, and many commenters said it's a case of a driver's presence rather than policy.
'From the language and format, it seems like the driver wrote it. Automated system messages from Grab are written using complete words and are clearly marked. More precisely, the language style matches that of a driver undergoing a mid-life crisis and thinks that their 6-seater is a Rolls Royce or Bentley,' wrote a commenter, who added, 'Anyway, I don't think that they're allowed to anyhow charge more than what the app charges. If they try to extort extra cash, best to collect evidence (e.g., video, audio recording) and raise to grab for a refund.'
'Yup. Sounds like one of those 'MY CAR MY RULES' drivers,' chimed in another.
One Reddit user urged the passenger to 'Take the ride and give 1 star,' adding, 'The star hurts more than cancellation,' as this would affect the incentives they receive.
Another compared the situation: 'Imagine if you are upgraded for free to business class because economy was overbooked, and the airline says you have to sit upright throughout and use the toilet in the economy cabin. Sounds crappy right?
Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.'
One commenter was virtually shaking their head, writing, 'The driver can reject this ride, right? Want to accept, but still want to put so many conditions.'
The Independent Singapore has contacted Grab for further comments or updates. /TISG
Read also: Ad about '15,932 food pics in your gallery' makes some S'poreans wonder if Grab has access to their phone gallery
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
26 minutes ago
- CNA
Circle Line train services to end early and start later on selected days from Sep 5 to Dec 28
SINGAPORE: Train services on the Circle Line (CCL) will end earlier and start later on selected days between Sep 5 and Dec 28 to prepare for the opening of the complete CCL loop in the first half of next year. Services will end earlier at 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and start later at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and operator SMRT jointly said on Tuesday (Aug 12). The weekends of Oct 3 to 5, Nov 28 to 30 and Dec 5 to 7 will not be affected, and train services will operate at regular hours during those days. Commuters are advised to plan for up to 30 minutes of additional travel time due to the service adjustments. LTA and SMRT said they had completed the installation of the new integrated supervisory control system in July, adding that the previous system had to be replaced to align with the systems that will be used for CCL stage 6. Following the completion of the installation, the next phase of works involves systems integration testing across the entire CCL to ensure reliable service when CCL stage 6 becomes operational. "During this phase, longer blocks of engineering hours are needed for the integration and compatibility testing to be carried out safely and rigorously," said LTA and SMRT. As such, train services on the CCL will be adjusted between Sep 5 and Dec 28 to facilitate engineering works and allow for longer engineering hours. CCL train services previously ended earlier on selected days between Jun 15 and Jul 30 to support preparations for the opening of the complete CCL loop. CCL stage 6 will close the circle between Marina Bay and Harbourfront stations via three new stations – Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road. When completed, there will be a total of 33 stations along the entire line. Two shuttle bus services will be available for commuters from 5am to 9am on affected Saturdays and Sundays, and will cover most CCL stations: Commuters are also advised to plan their journeys in advance and refer to LTA's mobile app, and LTA's and SMRT's social media platforms for more details. Notices will be displayed at affected stations, as well as at nearby bus stops, to inform commuters of the service adjustments. LTA and SMRT added that when CCL stage 6 opens, commuters can look forward to travel time savings of up to 10 minutes. The completion of the loop will provide a faster and more direct route to and through the Marina Bay area.
Independent Singapore
16 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
COE dreams: Can Singapore make car ownership fairer for the middle class?
SINGAPORE: In the city-state, buying and keeping a car is a tough act for a lot of people. For countless middle-class families, what was a difficult but likely objective—owning a car—now appears to be virtually impossible. As Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices escalate, even a rudimentary automobile can be as pricey as a tiny condominium in specific areas of the region. Frustration is on the rise. On platforms like Reddit, Singaporeans are expressing the feelings that many have shared for years: The system appears to be stacked against the average person. The broken dream of car ownership A recent Reddit post captured the prevailing sentiment: 'COE prices in Singapore have been climbing nonstop, reaching absurd levels that are pricing out the average middle-class family. Owning a car has now become an unrealistic dream for many.' It's not just about convenience. For some families, a car is necessary to transport children to school, take care of elderly parents, or manage work shifts where public transport is limited. Thus far, under the existing structure, these needs vie in the same COE pool as those purchasing their second, third, or even fourth luxury car for weekend relaxation. Efficiency vs. fairness The Lion City's vehicle ownership system, focused around the COE, is known for efficiently regulating road bottlenecks and handling the number of automobiles, but the unrelenting query is — at what cost? Some Singaporeans are speculating if it's time for more well-adjusted procedures, maybe encouraged by the property market's Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) system. If housing speculation and hoarding can be minimized via a segmented revenue system, why not ponder a similar tactic for vehicles? Imagine a strategy where purchasing a second or third car comes with higher taxes, or where processing a car purchase under the name of another family member to dodge expenses comes with financial consequences. Such a scheme could produce an impartial environment for first-time consumers and dampen unnecessary spending by those with substantial funds. Not a call for cheap cars—just fairer access The Reddit user behind the original post made it clear: This isn't about making cars cheap. 'If every household could afford a car, Singapore's roads would become even more congested than they already are,' he noted. Rather, the intention is to find an equilibrium—one where those who truthfully need a car don't get priced out, while demand for extravagant vehicles is kept in check via policy procedures. 'Car ownership is not a right' Not everyone approves, and the reactions demonstrate an eclectic array of views. One commenter referenced a previous statement by SM Lee, who drew a clear line between housing and car ownership: 'The government considers that housing is a right and that transport is a right, but car ownership is not a right.' From this perspective, the COE isn't meant to be fair; it simply aims to control demand. In practical terms, it works. Roads stay judiciously clear, public transport gets favored handling, and owning a car becomes an indulgence, just like owning a Birkin bag or a first-class plane ticket. Others directly stated that 'The end game is to make car ownership not equitable,' and that 'You just need to earn more.' These comments signify a more profound societal disquiet. Is a system genuinely fair if it only benefits the wealthy? Implementation hurdles, not so simple Even among those who support the idea of a car tax similar to the ABSD, doubt exists. 'There are many cars registered under different family members for various reasons,' one commenter pointed out. 'Tracking real ownership or intent is difficult.' See also COE prices decline in final bidding of 2023 In a city-state where the number of cars is carefully regulated, any new policy would need to be tightly controlled to avoid misuse. A new way forward? Ultimately, this discussion is not just about cars. It's about access, justice, and the type of society Singapore intends to create. While some argue that the current system is functioning—roads are clearing up, public transport is growing, and luxury signals remain clear—others believe that a system where only the wealthy can own cars increases inequality and disconnects everyday Singaporeans. Is there a means in the current model to present more targeted equality? Can guidelines be made to distinguish between necessity and indulgence without crushing the system? That is still vague. Nevertheless, as COE prices keep growing, the conversation has changed from just about prices and outlays. It's now about values, and whose needs the system truly serves.
Business Times
21 hours ago
- Business Times
GetGo back to profit after easing on the gas in 2024
IF 2023 was the year of aggressive fleet expansion for Singapore-based GetGo, 2024 was about hitting the breaks. After growing its fleet to 3,000 vehicles in 2023, the car-sharing firm focused on getting more users last year, Toh Ting Feng, co-founder and CEO of GetGo, told Tech in Asia. Beyond expanding its fleet size, the firm also upped its staff count and inked new partnerships in 2023. This increased its burn rate, causing the company to move into the red that year. Things turned around in 2024, when the business reported a positive profit before tax of about S$600,000 (roughly US$470,000), according to its audited financial statement. Its revenue also jumped roughly 14 per cent year on year. The decrease in investments was reflected in its cash flow statements: Net cash used in investing activities – which includes additions to its fleet – for 2024 decreased by half to US$5.7 million. Back to black While administrative and finance expenses rose in 2024, revenue gains were significant enough to drive the company back to net profit. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up GetGo also turned cash flow positive for the year, while its cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2024 remained relatively level compared to 2023. Now, Toh said that the company needs to be 'disciplined' and not chase certain metrics – such as revenue and profit – 'for certain metrics' sake'. Founded in 2020, GetGo's platform allows its users to book a car using a mobile app. It's only available in Singapore so far. These units, which include both internal combustion engine and electric vehicles, are available for rent at its roughly 1,700 locations across the city-state. Toh said that GetGo's return to black was a result of it increasing the quality of its services and introducing new features. For example, it launched a new vehicle category last year called GetGo Select. Cars offered under this category come without GetGo branding on their doors but cost more. Right now, about 10 per cent of its vehicles are Select cars, Toh shares. The CEO expects to see demand for Select vehicles progressively increase, and by the end of this year, he estimates that 20 to 25 per cent of its total fleet will be vehicles in this category. Another key initiative for GetGo in 2024 was bringing its services to private residential housing. So far, it has set up GetGo stations in 50 condominiums, along with the necessary charging infrastructure. 'In 2024, we saw that there was increasing usage by families that were living in condominiums,' Toh said. Roughly 260,000 households – or 17 per cent of Singapore's total population – live in such housing developments as at last year. For now, the company is starting with larger developments and plans to extend its footprint in these areas this year. Without disclosing specific numbers, Toh said that GetGo's total bookings for the year grew in line with its revenue. The firm is closing in on 500,000 registered users, up from about 300,000 at the end of 2023. A zing with ZipZap GetGo's 2024 pullback is not a shutdown of its engine entirely. Since 2024, the company has increased the available cars on its platform by 7 per cent to more than 3,200. According to its financial statement, the company's subsidiary, GetGo SG SPV B, also acquired vehicles under finance leases of over US$5 million in March this year. The deal added around 200 new vehicles to GetGo's platform, Toh clarifies. The founder said that its ambition to offer 10,000 greener vehicles – consisting of EVs and hybrids – by 2030 is well and alive. Most of GetGo's new units for its Select category are green vehicles, Toh added. The firm has been busy in 2025 as well. In July, it launched ZipZap, a long-term car rental service. Prior to this, its lease options ranged from an hour to five days. GetGo co-founders Ting Feng Toh (left) and Johnson Lim. PHOTO: GETGO 'Demand for mid- to long-term rentals, those six months and up, continues to grow,' Toh said. GetGo's long-term car leases could offer an alternative to users in Singapore, where it's becoming more costly to own a vehicle. As at the end of 2023, only a third of Singaporean and permanent residents in the country owned cars – down 40 per cent compared to 2013. Still, the car-rental market is not without its challenges. In August, competing platform BlueSG said that it would pause its services starting Aug 8 as it 'streamlined operations significantly' ahead of a relaunch next year. The car-sharing platform had around 250,000 subscribers at the time. To differentiate ZipZap's longer-term car rentals from ownership, GetGo offers a 'subscribe and share' feature that allows ZipZap subscribers to rent out their vehicles on the GetGo platform. While only in its beta stages, Toh said that ZipZap has garnered significant interest so far.
