SMRT increases Chevrolet flagdown rates and increases distance fares for others
12 Dec 2013|5,262 views
Starting Monday, SMRT's flagdown rates for its Chevrolet Epica cabs will increase to $3.60, from $3.40. Additionally distance fares for its Mercedes-Benz, London, Hyundai Starex and Ssangyong Rodius cabs will be raised to $0.30 for every 400 metres travelled for up to 10km, every 350m after 10km and 45 seconds of waiting time. Currently the rates are $0.22.
According to The Straits Times, the increase would result in consumers paying around 30 percent higher fares. Besides Mercedes and multi-seater cabs, the distance rate for most other cabs are $0.22 per 400 metres.
SMRT revised its rates back in October when it launched its fleet of Toyota Prius hybrid taxis. The hybrid taxis came with a flagdown rate of $3.80, higher than its competitors' rates between $3.50 to $3.70. According to a company spokesman, the changes are to "keep pace with current rates in the industry".
Despite being a little red dot, there are roughly 30 types of cabs, with more than 10 different flagdown fares bundled with three different metered fare structures. There are also more than 10 different types of surcharges and eight types of phone booking charges here.
Cab fare were deregulated back in 1998, and have risen in recent years citing higher taxi rental rates, which can be attributed to increasing Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices.
However an industry source explained to the English daily, rises in COE premiums cannot be considered a valid reason. "The increase in COE translates to only about $10 per day per cab over its seven-year lifespan. Rental rates for many cabs have gone up from less than $120, to $135 or more per day - even for cabs bought with much lower premiums," he said.
Other firms are highly expected to follow SMRT's move to increase rates although the competition is mum at the moment.
Starting Monday, SMRT's flagdown rates for its Chevrolet Epica cabs will increase to $3.60, from $3.40. Additionally distance fares for its Mercedes-Benz, London, Hyundai Starex and Ssangyong Rodius cabs will be raised to $0.30 for every 400 metres travelled for up to 10km, every 350m after 10km and 45 seconds of waiting time. Currently the rates are $0.22.
According to The Straits Times, the increase would result in consumers paying around 30 percent higher fares. Besides Mercedes and multi-seater cabs, the distance rate for most other cabs are $0.22 per 400 metres.
SMRT revised its rates back in October when it launched its fleet of Toyota Prius hybrid taxis. The hybrid taxis came with a flagdown rate of $3.80, higher than its competitors' rates between $3.50 to $3.70. According to a company spokesman, the changes are to "keep pace with current rates in the industry".
Despite being a little red dot, there are roughly 30 types of cabs, with more than 10 different flagdown fares bundled with three different metered fare structures. There are also more than 10 different types of surcharges and eight types of phone booking charges here.
Cab fare were deregulated back in 1998, and have risen in recent years citing higher taxi rental rates, which can be attributed to increasing Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices.
However an industry source explained to the English daily, rises in COE premiums cannot be considered a valid reason. "The increase in COE translates to only about $10 per day per cab over its seven-year lifespan. Rental rates for many cabs have gone up from less than $120, to $135 or more per day - even for cabs bought with much lower premiums," he said.
Other firms are highly expected to follow SMRT's move to increase rates although the competition is mum at the moment.
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