ComfortDelGro taxi flagdown rates to go up by 50 cents; new weekend peak hour surcharge from Dec 13

SINGAPORE — Taxi operator ComfortDelGro said on Wednesday (Dec 6) it will increase its flagdown fare and other surcharges to help cabbies defray higher operating costs due to rising fuel prices, high inflation and the impending Goods & Service Tax (GST) hike.

ComfortDelGro’s fleet, excluding limousine taxis, will see a S$0.50 increase in flagdown fares and a S$0.01 increase for distances and waiting times to S$0.26.

“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,” said Singapore’s largest taxi operator.

Flag-down fares for limousine taxis will remain the same, but distances and waiting time fares will be increased from S$0.35 to S$0.36.

The new fares will come into effect at 6am on Dec 13.

ComfortDelGro also said it will be extending the evening peak hour surcharge for all taxis by one hour to cover the period from 5pm to 11.59pm, effective Monday through Sunday, including public holidays.

A new peak hour surcharge will be implemented from 10am to 1.59pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

ComfortDelGro increased its flag-down fares in March last year, the first fare adjustment in a decade. Earlier this year the company introduced a platform fee for rides booked via its CDG Zig app, keeping in line with charges by other ride-hailing platforms in Singapore.

Strides Premier Taxi also announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday that it will be adjusting the surcharge for peak period time-bands.

It will start charging its peak period surcharge — which is 25 per cent of the metered fare — from 10am to 1.59pm on Saturday and Sundays, including public holidays. Customers will also have to pay the surcharge if they ride between 5pm to 11.59pm on any day, including public holidays. CNA