ComforDelGro revises taxi fares YET AGAIN

SINGAPORE: Commuters can expect to pay more for their taxi fares from next Monday.

That's because one operator - ComfortDelGro - has announced it is revising its fare structure from December 12 to better meet the increased demand for taxis.

And the National Taxi Association is urging other operators to adjust their fares as soon as possible.

From next Monday, the flag-down rate of ComfortDelGro taxis will increase between 20 cents and 70 cents depending on the model of the taxi.

So trips on a Crown taxi, for example, will start from S$3.00 instead of the current S$2.80.

For the Camry and Limousine cabs, the flag-down rates will be between S$3.40 and S$3.90.

The taxi meter will also register a jump of 22 cents instead of 20 cents, but over a longer distance travelled.

Advance booking fees will also rise to S$8.00 to encourage more drivers to accept such bookings. For Limousine cabs, advance booking fee will rise to S$18.00.

But the current booking fee of S$3.50 for peak periods and S$2.50 for all other times will be reduced by 20 cents.

The public holiday surcharge of S$1 will be removed.

The peak-hour surcharge - now at 35% of metered fare - will be lowered to 25%.

But the surcharge will be extended from 6am-9.30am in the morning compared to 7am-9.30am currently.

The evening surcharge will also apply to Sundays and public holidays and will run from 6pm-midnight compared to 5pm-8pm from Mondays to Saturdays currently.

As a result of the revisions, some commuters will see a drop in total fare bill while others will experience an increase.

For example, commuters who take taxis between 5pm and 6pm will see a 21 percent or S$2.60 reduction in taxi fares for a 10km trip, while those who take taxis in the extended peak hours will experience an increase of about 33 percent or S$3 for a similar 10km trip.

In addition, the evening city area surcharge of S$3 (from 5pm-midnight) will be extended to include Sundays and public holidays.

ComfortDelGro said the flag-down, distance and waiting time fares were last adjusted in December 2007.

Since then, taxi drivers have had to cope with higher costs of living as a result of inflation, said the company.

The National Taxi Association said that in view of the rapidly rising operating costs, especially diesel prices, the revision is "fair and timely" to help taxi drivers defray part of cost increases.

Current Flag Down – 1st km
$2.80 (Crown); $3.00 (Sonata)
$3.20 (Camry); $3.20 (Limousine)
1km to 10km: $0.20 for every 385m
Above 10km: $0.20 for every 330m
Waiting time: $0.20 for every 45sec

Revised Flag Down – 1st km
$3.00 (Crown); $3.20 (Sonata)
$3.40 (Camry); $3.90 (Limousine)
1km to 10km: $0.22 for every 400m
Above 10km: $0.22 for every 350m
Waiting time: $0.22 for every 45sec

Current Peak Period Surcharge
35% of metered fare
Mon-Fri: 7.00am-9.30am
Mon-Sat: 5.00pm-8.00pm

Revised Current Peak Period Surcharge
25% of metered fare
Mon-Fri: 6.00am-9.30am (not applicable on public holidays)
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays: 6.00pm-Midnight

Current City Area Surcharge
$3.00
Mon-Sat: 5.00pm-Midnight

Revised City Area Surcharge
$3.00
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays: 5.00pm-Midnight

Current Call Booking Fees
Current Booking
Peak Period: $3.50
Mon-Fri: 7.00am-9.30am, 5.00pm-11.00pm

Current Booking
All other times: $2.50

Advance Booking: $5.20

Revised Call Booking Fees
Current Booking
Peak Period: $3.30
Mon-Fri: 6.00am-9.30am (not applicable on public holidays)
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays: 6.00pm-Midnight

Current Booking
All other times: $2.30

Advance Booking: $8.00

Current Limousine Taxi Booking Fees
Current Booking: $8.00
Advance Booking: $16.00

Revised Limousine Taxi Booking Fees
Current Booking: $10.00
Advance Booking: $18.00

Current Public Holiday Surcharge
$1.00
From 6.00pm on the eve of a Public Holiday to midnight of the day of the Public Holiday

Revised Public Holiday Surcharge
Removed



- CNA/ir