Taxi demand during new weekend peak period 'as high' as weekday equivalent, says ComfortDelGro
ComfortDelGro will implement a peak hour surcharge between 10am and 1.59pm on weekends and public holidays, it announced on Wednesday.
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SINGAPORE: Demand for cabs during the new weekend and public holiday peak period is “as high” as that during weekday peak hours, taxi operator ComfortDelGro said on Thursday (Dec 7).
It announced on Wednesday that its fares for metered trips made between 10am and 1.59pm on weekends and public holidays will be subject to a surcharge from next week.
“The demand – street and booking – between 10am (and) 1.59pm on weekends and public holidays is much stronger relative to off-peak hours and as high as commuting peak hours on weekdays,” ComfortDelGro said in response to a CNA query.
The company will also be extending the evening peak hour surcharge period for all taxis by one hour to cover the period from 5pm to 11.59pm daily, including public holidays. The current peak hour period starts at 6pm.
Prime Taxi, Strides Premier and Trans-cab will be making the same changes to their fares.
The existing peak period of 6am to 9.29am on weekdays remains unchanged. The peak hour surcharge amounts to 25 per cent of the metered fare.
On Wednesday, ComfortDelGro also said it will increase its flagdown fare by S$0.50 (US$0.37) as part of efforts to help drivers defray higher operating costs due to rising fuel prices, high inflation and the impending Goods and Services Tax hike.
This will apply to its entire fleet, excluding limousine taxis.
Distance and waiting time rates will also be increased by one cent from S$0.25 to S$0.26. Distance and waiting time rates are charged for every 400m or less after the first kilometre up to 10km, every 350m or less after 10km, and every 45 seconds of waiting or less.
“With this adjustment, the estimated fare for a 10km off-peak normal taxi trip is estimated to increase by 6.8 per cent or S$0.94 from S$13.80 to S$14.74,” the company said.
Flagdown fares for limousine taxis will remain the same, but distance and waiting time fares will be increased from S$0.35 to S$0.36.
The fare hike will apply to all metered fare trips, including metered fare bookings made through the CDG Zig app and other ride-hailing platforms.
The new fares will come into effect at 6am on Dec 13.
ComfortDelGro adjusted its fares for the first time in a decade when it increased flagdown fares in March last year. It also introduced a platform fee for rides booked on its CDG Zig app earlier this year.
