GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs

Straits Times

02-07-2025

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GrabCab launched on July 2 with a flag-off ceremony at Grab's headquarters in one-north.
SINGAPORE – Singapore's sixth and newest taxi operator GrabCab has hit the roads with over 40 cabs in its fleet now and more cabs expected in the next three years.
Its flag-down fare is $4.60 for a standard four-seater vehicle, while distance rates are 26 cents for every 400km under 10km and 26 cents for every 350m after 10km. A fee of 26 cents will be charged for every 45 seconds of waiting.
Fares for taxis under ComfortDelGro, Trans-Cab, Strides Premier and Prime Taxi are comparable.
GrabCab launched on July 2 with a flag-off ceremony at Grab's headquarters in one-north.
The subsidiary of Grab's rental arm GrabRentals announced its entry into the market on June 4, with 40 new fifth-generation electric hybrid Toyota Prius cars.
Under the terms of its street-hail operator licence, GrabCab has three years to progressively expand its fleet to meet the minimum fleet size requirement of 800 cabs. The operator aims to achieve the target before the third year, said a Grab spokesperson.
Grab had said in June that it will add two more models to its fleet, including the electric hybrid Hyundai Kona from August and a fully electric vehicle 'some time' in 2025. The Hyundai Kona will be up for rental from July 3.
Rental rates for a GrabCab vehicle start at $117 a day, with the first 100 drivers who sign up getting a rate of $112 a day. This is comparable to a $117 rental rate for a Toyota Prius under taxi giant ComfortDelGro, $109.80 for one under Prime Taxi and $100 a day at Strides Premier.
Fourteen Toyota Prius cars were involved in the flag-off, and some 30 drivers with the new taxi operator attended the event.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Grab's group managing director of operations Yee Wee Tang said: 'Ride-hailing apps work great for many commuters, but there are still groups like the older residents and overseas visitors who continue to need a street-hail service, and taxis fill the gap.
'At the same time, by bringing taxis and private-hire vehicles together on one platform, we're strengthening the overall network to provide more reliable and accessible rides for commuters across Singapore.'
GrabCab also offers industry-first features including a safe driving bonus, which rewards accident-free driving with up to $3,000 over three years, and a relief-matching system in the driver app that lets main drivers connect with relief drivers.
One of the fleet's new drivers, Mr Kevin Huang, said he did not expect to join the taxi industry so soon.
The 45-year-old was a delivery rider for four years before joining GrabCab, but he was initially undecided between a taxi and a private-hire vehicle.
Mr Huang eventually decided to drive a taxi after doing his homework on forums, due to benefits such as flexibility for street-hail pick-ups. His father, who was a ComfortDelGro taxi driver for 15 years, also encouraged him to consider the taxi industry.
He then signed with GrabCab for one year to 'try out' and for benefits such as leave and insurance coverage – drivers have accident coverage and up to two weeks of medical leave.
Fees for the course to get the taxi driver's vocational licence are also fully funded by GrabCab.
'My friends all discouraged me and said driving a taxi is for old people,' Mr Huang said. 'But I think this misconception must change.'