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Time for ComfortDelGro to up its game sources: https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/time-for-comfortdelgro-to-up-its-game When Uber entered the Singapore market in 2013, it changed the face of taxi services. Singaporeans were suddenly able to find rides with an ease previously unheard of. ComfortDelGro, the largest taxi operator here, would have been expected to take serious steps to counter the threat from ride-hailing companies. Instead, six years on, it has allowed its taxi revenues to slide without a solution in sight. Its weak attempt to purchase Uber's private-hire business when it exited South-east Asia last year was usurped by Grab, which has emerged as the main player, with Gojek following closely behind. In South-east Asia, Grab has grand ambitions: to provide safe and convenient ride-hailing services in the region. Today, we read about ComfortDelGro's attempt to invest in transport-linked start-ups (ComfortDelGro investing in transport-linked tech start-ups, June 5). Read here! Instead of transforming its business model with its own ride-hailing app that would link all of its worldwide traditional taxi businesses and, eventually, its bus business, the company has shown a lack of ambition and leadership in the face of disruption. Still massively profitable from its monopoly over the local rail and bus services, this is one local company that has the resources to help take Singapore's internationalisation drive to the next level. But it is perhaps lacking the business motivation, given its privileged position in the local land transport market. - Liu Fook Thim

New ride-hailing firm FastGo to launch in Singapore SINGAPORE - A nine-month-old Vietnamese start-up is hoping to carve a place for itself in Singapore's ride-hailing scene, currently dominated by industry giants Grab and Gojek. FastGo announced on Wednesday (March 20) that it aims to launch services here at the end of next month, and will begin registering drivers on April 1. The initial fleet size here will be at least 3,000 cars on the roads, FastGo Singapore country manager Diep Nguyen told The Straits Times. The firm currently operates in Vietnam and Myanmar, and plans to launch in five other countries in the region - such as Indonesia and the Philippines - by the end of 2019. Ms Nguyen said the firm invests an initial sum of about US$3 million ($4 million) in each new market. Referring to competition from Grab and Gojek, she said FastGo was "competing with them well" and that it would learn from its rivals' "experience and weaknesses to provide good policies and services for commuters and drivers". FastGo also intends to collaborate with taxi operators here, she added. In response to queries, a Land Transport Authority (LTA) spokesman said: "We are working with FastGo to help them understand and operate in accordance to the local regulatory requirements." The LTA spokesman added that all prospective private-hire car booking service operators must comply with existing regulatory requirements before being allowed to operate here. FastGo aims to differentiate itself from Grab and Gojek - which collect a fee of about 20 per cent per fare from drivers - by charging them a daily subscription fee of less than US$5 if a driver's income exceeds US$30 a day. National Private Hire Vehicles Association executive adviser Ang Hin Kee said: "Collecting subscription fees is one novel way of recruiting drivers, but the litmus test is ease of getting commuters and collecting good earnings." He added: "If they can do more for drivers, such as providing insurance coverage and helping with Medisave, it will enhance their attractiveness and assure commuters that this new app has a big pool of drivers to serve their needs." Others, however, are sceptical about FastGo's chances. "It really depends on how much resources they can put in," said Singapore University of Social Sciences urban transport expert Park Byung Joon. "If they not have much resources to attract more drivers, it will be just another small storm in a tea cup." FastGo aims to raise US$50 million in the coming months to fund its regional expansion plans. In comparison, Grab recently announced it had secured some $2 billion in funding. Said Associate Professor Park: "Unless they (FastGo) can give more to drivers and commuters than Grab, it will be tough for them to compete." https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-ride-hailing-firm-fastgo-to-debut-here-in-april so any promo code ?