ComfortDelGro Taxis to Increase Fares by About 8% from 1 March

By
Lin Jiawen
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Farewell, (slightly) more affordable taxi rides.

Come March this year, you may notice that your taxi fares might put a bit more strain on your wallet.

And here’s why.

ComfortDelGro Taxi Fares Increasing by About 8%

From 6 am of 1 March 2022 onwards, ComfortDelGro will raise various aspects of their taxi fares.

With that, flagdown fares will increase by 20 cents from $3.70 to $3.90 for Hyundai i-40 taxis, and $3.90 to $4.10 for that of Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, Kona, LimoCab and MaxiCabs taxis.

Additionally, an increase in distance-timed rates for every 400m (or 350m, after 10km) travelled will also be implemented. Normal taxis will impose a two-cent increase from $0.22 to $0.24, while those taking limousine taxis will see a three-cent increase from $0.30 to $0.33.

Similarly, normal taxis will have a two-cent increase from $0.22 to S$0.24 while limousines will charge three cents more, making the charge rise from $0.30 to $0.33 for every 45 seconds of waiting time.

Hence, the estimated fare for a 10km off-peak normal taxi trip is estimated to increase by $0.84, from $10.98 to S$11.82 – approximately 7.7%.

This also marks the first time ComfortDelGro has adjusted its prices since December 2011.

Necessary Changes Due to Inflation

In a media release, ComfortDelGro pointed to inflation as one of the biggest factors that contributed to this price hike.

“The move is necessary to help cabbies defray higher operating costs resulting from rising fuel prices and inflation. In the last six months alone, fuel prices have increased by about 10% on average,” the company affirmed.

Additionally, inflation rates are also expected to increase in the following years, all the more justifying the price increase.

ComfortDelGro also communicated with National Taxi Association (NTA) before proposing the changes in fares, and NTA confirmed that they were supportive of the changes.

“Our taxi drivers have been working tirelessly to make ends meet especially over the past two years since the pandemic hit – grappling with low ridership numbers, increasing fuel costs and inflation,” Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Adviser to NTA explained.

“We recognise that taxi fares need to match higher operating costs and have been in talks with ComfortDelGro on fare changes. We support the fare adjustments and hope that this move will help drivers better cope with rising costs,” she concluded.

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effect On Cabbies

Apart from inflation, another factor that has been affecting taxi drivers’ incomes for the past two years is the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a decrease in Singaporeans travelling outside of their homes, the taxi industry has understandably taken a hit in terms of the number of passengers that taxi drivers get to ferry per day.

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When explaining their rationale behind the change in fares, ComfortDelGro also noted that they have “taken into consideration that cabbies’ income have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years – even with the Government relief and the S$206.5 million worth of rental waivers that the Company has been extending to hirers since the start of the pandemic.”

Moreover, when taxi driver Ivan Ho, 49, who has been a ComfortDelGro taxi driver for eight years, was asked about his opinions on the fare increase, he answered, “I look forward to the fare adjustment as it will help ease the burden of the rising costs of living. It’s long overdue.”

Indeed, even with the various schemes and aid provided to taxi drivers, it has proved to be insufficient, justifying the company’s decision to increase taxi fares.

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Lin Jiawen
Email: [email protected]