Asian ride-hailing giant Grab has launched what may well be its most aggressive campaign against the competition in Singapore. In a text message targeted at ComfortDelGro cabbies on Sunday (3rd September) night, Grab dangled a rental discount of more than 40 percent to those who are willing to defect to any of the other taxi companies - all of whom use the Grab hailing platform.
"Dear Comfort Cabbie, HUGE Rental Discount deals from 4-15 Sept," the message read. "$50 rental discount PER DAY, if you switch your taxi rental over to any of our taxi-fleet partners (TransCab, Prime, SMRT, Premier). No targets. No questions asked."
The discount of around $1,500 per month amounts to more than 40 percent for Comfort cabbies who drive the Hyundai i40. Grab said those who switch to a private-hire car will get an even bigger discount of $1,688 per month.
The salvo came a week after ComfortDelGro - Singapore's largest cab company - announced it was in exclusive talks with American ride-hailing company Uber about a possible tie-up. It follows just days after Grab secured fresh fundings from Toyota Motor. Neither ComfortDelGro nor Grab was available for comment.
Taxi drivers interviewed said the discount was interesting but were mostly wary about switching. Mr. Alan Soh, 42, said, "What are the terms and conditions? Previously, when TransCab had a similar offer, the terms and conditions were not favourable." Mr. Soh has been a cabby for 10 years, and has driven only for ComfortDelGro. Competition in the taxi and private-hire industry is hotting up with operators battling one another to retain drivers as their cumulative fleet size approach 80,000 - three times what it was just four years ago.
