With its status as a local transport giant, SMRT's incoming electric taxis promise more than meets the eye for drivers all over Singapore.
HDT cabbies will also be getting more help to upgrade themselves with digital skills, and may receive additional allowance for becoming mentors to new cabbies.
All-electric HDT, Singapore's newest taxi operator, has been in the red since 2014, now it says it is 'financially and operationally' viable.
The Land Transport Authority announced that it has granted a full-fledged taxi service operator licence to HDT Singapore Taxi.
HDT Singapore Taxi, which operates 100 electric-powered cabs, applied to the Land Transport Authority earlier this month to add 800 more taxis to its fleet.
Taxi firms took a big hit from private-hire companies earlier this year, but have since started partnering up with them.
'Dynamic pricing', as used by GrabCar and Uber, means private-hire cars are generally cheaper than taxis during off-peak hours and after midnight.
Surge pricing adopted by private-hire apps has drawn flak from some commuters, after fares rocketed during periods of exceptionally high demand.
The fares, which will range from a few dollars to $100, are quoted upfront and could be lower or higher than standard metered rates; depending on demand.
Scheme to treat cabbies as full-time staff pays off as new taxi company HDT Singapore Taxi has recruited drivers for all its 50 cabs.
They may be a month late, but the island's first all-electric taxi fleet can roll out early next month; after some glitches are ironed out.
A new taxi company with an all-electric fleet of BYD Sport Utility Vehicles, is set to hit the road in two months' time.