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In focus
For this edition, we cover:
- Grab’s fresh rivalry with Singapore’s taxi incumbents
- Why profits can be a bad thing for founders
- Bukalapak founders back protein water brand
Hello reader,
As a semi-frequent user of ride-hailing apps, I generally don’t have problems booking a ride. But when I do, it’s a particularly frustrating experience.
I’m sure that’s the case for most users, too. As for the apps themselves, the best way around this would be to boost their fleet. In Singapore, Grab tried to address this problem by acquiring Trans-cab, but that strategy fell through.
So now, the company that was founded as an alternative to taxis has launched GrabCab, its own taxi fleet in the city-state.
Since Grab’s taxi license is just a month old, the firm is still in recruitment stages. But that presents a challenge to incumbents like ComfortDelGro.
As today’s Big Story discusses, Grab will primarily pick from an existing pool of drivers that hold taxi licenses, and that’s likely to come from the fleets of existing cab companies.
Can ComfortDelGro and Singapore’s other taxi firms fight back?
The Big Story
Taxi tensions rise as GrabCab readies for Singapore streets
Image credit: Timmy Loen
After its cab acquisitions fell through, Grab’s new taxi license could dent profit margins at rivals like ComfortDelGro. Can incumbents fight back?
Spotlight
The latest 60/40 Podcast episode breaks down Pine Labs’ business model, IPO, and digital transformation
Quick Bytes
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