GrabCab to raise fares temporarily as Middle East crisis drags on

Photo credit: GrabCab

GrabCab will be raising its fares temporarily from March 30 to May 31 as fuel prices remain volatile amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Singapore-based taxi operator follows a similar move announced by its competitor ComfortDelGro on March 18.

In a March 23 statement, Grab said the adjustment applies only to metered taxi rides, regardless of whether the taxi is hailed on the street or booked through its app.

While flag-down fares remain unchanged at S$4.6 (US$3.58) for four-seater rides and at S$4.8 (US$3.73) for six-seater rides, unit fares will be increased from S$0.26 (US$0.2) to S$0.27 (US$0.21).

Unit fares are charged for every 400 meters traveled for the first 10 kilometers, then every 350 meters after that. Such fares are also charged for every 45 seconds of waiting time.

Fares for all lengths of commutes will therefore rise. The cost of a short commute, like a 4-kilometer ride from Novena to Orchard, will increase by around S$0.08 (US$0.06), assuming there’s no waiting time.

For a mid-range journey of 12 kilometers from Ang Mo Kio to City Hall, meanwhile, the fare will rise by S$0.28 (US$0.21).

As for long-distance rides, like a 30-kilometer drive from Woodlands to Changi Airport, the fare will increase by S$0.8 (US$0.62).

“The math for our drivers has changed quickly with fuel prices increasing at the pump,” a Grab spokesperson said. “Following the fuel vouchers we distributed last week, this metered ‘top-up’ is a necessary next step to ensure that the extra costs drivers face are partially offset by every trip they complete.”

See also: ComfortDelGro raises fares, adds driver fees amid Iran war

Currency converted from Singapore dollar to US dollar: US$1 = S$1.28

This story was republished with permission from The Business Times. It was moderately edited to reflect Tech in Asia’s editorial guidelines.