Taxicabs of Singapore
Encyclopedia
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
s are a popular form of public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
in the compact city state of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, with fares considered relatively low compared to those in most cities in developed countries
Developed country
A developed country is a country that has a high level of development according to some criteria. Which criteria, and which countries are classified as being developed, is a contentious issue...
. There is a total fleet of 25,176 taxis operated by eight taxi companies and independent drivers in May 2010 http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/doc/Taxi%20Info%20for%20LTA%20Website%202010.pdf, collectively completing 588,632 trips daily across the island in June 2005 http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/doc/taxi_stats.pdf.
Taxis may be flagged down at any time of the day along any public road outside of the Central Business District (CBD). Issues of high traffic and demand in certain locations and areas, particularly in the downtown area and other major buildings and establishments around the island, require the building of taxi stands. As taxis may conversely be harder to obtain in less densely populated areas, as well as to meet the needs of time-sensitive users, taxis may be booked via telephone or through the internet for a fee, which is then transmitted to individual taxis via a Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
or digital voice dispatch.
Stringent requirements ensure that all taxis are fitted with meters and are air-conditioned and serviceable. Drivers who fail to utilise their meters may be fined up to S$500, an enforced rule which brings fare disputes down to a minimum. About 90% of taxis have inbuilt AM radio
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
communications.
Operations
Taxis are predominantly operated by large companies, the latter of which require a Taxi Operator Licence (TOL) from the Land Transport AuthorityLand Transport Authority
The Land Transport Authority is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Singapore Government.-History:...
(LTA). Holders of the TOL are required to comply with LTA's Quality of Service (QoS) standards, codes of practice and audit directions, failure of which the LTA may revoke the licence. There are seven companies holding the TOL currently, namely:
| Holding company | Taxi company | Brand | Dominant colour |
Fleet | Incorporated | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ComfortDelGro Corporation ComfortDelGro Corporation ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited is the world's second-largest transport company with a fleet of 46,200 vehicles.Headquartered in Singapore, ComfortDelGro also has operations in China, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Currently, overseas ventures account for 50% of... , Singapore Technologies Kinetics Singapore Technologies Kinetics ST Kinetics is the land systems and specialty vehicles arm of ST Engineering. In 2000, ST Engineering acquired the Chartered Industries of Singapore through ST Automotive, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, and the new company was named ST Kinetics... |
CityCab | CityCab | Yellow | 3883 | 1995 | http://www.citycab.com.sg |
| ComfortDelGro Corporation ComfortDelGro Corporation ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited is the world's second-largest transport company with a fleet of 46,200 vehicles.Headquartered in Singapore, ComfortDelGro also has operations in China, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Currently, overseas ventures account for 50% of... |
Comfort Transportation | Comfort | Blue | 11556 | 1970 | http://www.comfort-transportation.com.sg/ |
| Premier Rent A Car | Premier Taxis | Silvercab | Silver | 2016 | 2004 | http://www.premiertaxi.com/ |
| SMART Automobile Pte Ltd. | SMART | SMART Cabs | Green | 724 | 2004 | http://www.smartcab.com.sg |
| SMRT Corporation SMRT Corporation SMRT Corporation is a public transport operator incorporated on March 6, 2000, as a result of an industry overhaul to form multi-modal public-transport operators in Singapore. It is the second-largest public-transport company in Singapore after ComfortDelGro... |
SMRT Taxis | SMRT Taxis | White | 2596 | 1989 | http://www.smrt.com.sg/taxis.html |
| Union Energy | Transcab Services | TransCab | Red and white |
3416 | 2004 | http://www.transcabservices.com.sg/ |
| Prime Car Rental & Taxi Services | Prime Taxis | Prime | Copper | 589 | 2007 | http://www.primetaxi.com.sg/ |
| Total | 25,176^ | |||||
^Including 396 individual Yellow-Top taxis
Although there are seven cab companies, CityCab, Comfort are part of a single company, ComfortDelGro
ComfortDelGro Corporation
ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited is the world's second-largest transport company with a fleet of 46,200 vehicles.Headquartered in Singapore, ComfortDelGro also has operations in China, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Currently, overseas ventures account for 50% of...
. Comfort DelGro Yellow-Top taxis has ceased to exist in October 2007. A further 396 taxis are run by individual owners of their vehicles, collectively known as Yellow-Top taxis
Yellow-Top taxis
Yellow-Top taxis are a collective group of individually-owned taxis in Singapore. They have a yellow top and black body, hence their name. They make up only 505 taxis in total .- History :...
. These taxis are required to be replaced every eight years, or they may choose to have their licence acquired by Yellow-Top Cab and become a hirer of the taxi company. These taxis are expected to eventually cease to exist, however, as all new taxi drivers are required to hire their taxis from any of the TOL holders.
All taxi drivers in Singapore are required to hold a valid Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) issued by the Land Transport Authority, after having met basic pre-requisites and successfully completed a training course in the Singapore Taxi Academy and passing a theory test. Holders of the licence may then approach any of the seven TOL holding companies to hire a taxi on a daily rental basis, the rental rate and associated benefits of which varies between the various companies. As at May 2010, there were a total of 91,230 TDVL holders in Singapore.
Fares
Fares on Singapore's taxis are considered relatively affordable, and are thus a popular form of public transportation in Singapore particularly for the upper-middle income groups. Taxi fares were regulated by the Public Transport CouncilPublic Transport Council
The Public Transport Council is an independent regulatory statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of Singapore, established on 14 August 1987 by the Public Transport Council Act of 1987...
until September 1998 to allow operators full freedom in setting their own fares in a bid to introduce greater competition in the market.
In July 2006, ComfortDelGro raised fares for all three operators under its umbrella, and SMRT Taxis and TransCab followed suit http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/217189/1/.html. Premier Taxis adjusted its fares differently by only increasing some fare components, while SmartCab chose not to raise its fares at all, resulting in the most marked price differentiation between the companies since deregulation in 1998. One month later, it was reported that these fare adjustments had resulted in a drop of up to 20% in earnings for taxi drivers .
All taxi fares are metered, and it is an offence for taxi drivers to disable, tamper with, or fail to use their metering devices. Drivers found guilty may be fined up to S$500. Current taxi fares are tabled as follows:
On 10 December 2007, ComfortDelGro announced another revision in fares with increases ranging from 10 to 49%, due for implementation by 17 December 2007. It called on other taxi companies to follow its fare structure "as soon as possible". On 11 July 2008, ComfortDelGro announced the implemention of a $0.30 fuel surcharge starting from 17 July. Other taxi companies except Prime Taxis followed suit with different implemention dates.
Current fares
| Fares and surcharges | CityCab, Comfort, Yellow-Top Cab TransCab, SMRT Taxis, SmartCab |
Premier Taxis, Prime Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagdown fare | S$2.80 or $3.00 or $3.20 (≤ 1 km)¹ | ||
| Meter fare | S$0.20 (every 385 m thereafter or less > 1 km and ≤ 10 km) S$0.20 (every 330 m thereafter or less > 10 km) |
||
| Waiting | S$0.20 (every 45 seconds or less) | ||
| Booking | S$3.50 (0730 - 0930 and 1700 – 2300 hours Monday - Friday) S$2.50 (all other times including public holidays Holidays in Singapore The 11 major public holidays in Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country. They include the Chinese New Year, the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day, the Muslim holidays Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji, the Hindu holiday Deepavali, and the Christian holidays of Good Friday... ) S$5.20 (advance) |
S$3.50 (0730 - 0930 and 1700 – 2300 hours Monday - Friday) S$2.50 (all other times including public holidays Holidays in Singapore The 11 major public holidays in Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country. They include the Chinese New Year, the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day, the Muslim holidays Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji, the Hindu holiday Deepavali, and the Christian holidays of Good Friday... ) S$5.00 (advance) |
|
| Peak hours² | 35% of metered fare (Monday to Friday 0700 - 0930 and Monday to Saturday 1700 - 2000) | ||
| Late night | 50% of metered fare (0000 – 0559 hours) | ||
| Public holidays Holidays in Singapore The 11 major public holidays in Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country. They include the Chinese New Year, the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day, the Muslim holidays Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji, the Hindu holiday Deepavali, and the Christian holidays of Good Friday... |
S$1.00 (1800 hours eve to 0000 hours of New Year's Day New Year's Day New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome... , Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Christmas Day, first and second day of Chinese New Year Chinese New Year Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration... . Should public holiday fall on a Sunday, the surchage will be imposed till 0000 hrs on Monday) |
||
| CBD (including Marina Bay Sands) | S$3.00 (1700 – 0000 hours, Monday - Saturday, except public holidays Holidays in Singapore The 11 major public holidays in Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country. They include the Chinese New Year, the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day, the Muslim holidays Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji, the Hindu holiday Deepavali, and the Christian holidays of Good Friday... ) |
||
| Locations | S$5.00 (Singapore Changi Airport Singapore Changi Airport Singapore Changi Airport , Changi International Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. A major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, it is about north-east from the commercial centre in Changi, on a site.... : Friday - Sunday from 1700 to 0000 hours) S$3.00 (Singapore Changi Airport Singapore Changi Airport Singapore Changi Airport , Changi International Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. A major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, it is about north-east from the commercial centre in Changi, on a site.... : all other times) S$3.00 (Seletar Airport Seletar Airport "RAF Seletar" & "Seletar Airbase/Airfield" redirects here.Seletar Airport is a civilian airport located at Seletar, in the northeastern region of Singapore, and is managed by the Changi Airport Group... ) S$3.00 (Resorts World Sentosa) S$2.00 (Singapore Expo Singapore Expo The Singapore EXPO is the largest convention and exhibition venue in Singapore with over 100,000 square metres of column-free, indoor space spread over 10 halls... ) |
||
¹ - Higher flag-down rates for certain models.
² - Not applicable on Public Holidays
All Electronic Road Pricing charges incurred on the trip are to be borne by the customer. An additional 10% administrative charge on the total fare is also incurred when payment is made on credit or charge cards. Higher fares apply for premium taxi services that employ premium vehicles, such as CityCab's Presido and MaxiCab, Yellow-Top Cab's Sovereign limousines, SMRT's Prestige and London Taxi and Airport Transfer service, and so on.
Vehicle types
In the late 1960s, the first Yellow-Top taxi was the Mercedes Benz 220S PontonMercedes-Benz W180
The Mercedes-Benz W180 is a 6-cylinder sedan, coupé, and convertible made from 1954 to 1959. The models associated with the W180 chassis code were the 220a and 220S...
followed by the Austin Cambridge A60 and Morris Oxford VI. In the 1970s the Austin Cambridge A60 and Morris Oxford VI continued until the early 1980s followed by models of the Opel Rekord D, Peugeot 504
Peugeot 504
The Peugeot 504 is a large family car manufactured by French automaker Peugeot between 1968 and 1983, with licensed production continuing until 2006.-1968 — introduction:...
, Morris Marina
Morris Marina
The Morris Marina is a car which was manufactured by the Morris division of British Leyland in the UK throughout the 1970s, which was a period of great turbulence and difficulty for the British car industry. It was known in some markets as the Austin Marina, Leyland Marina, and Morris 1.7...
and the Russian Volga Gaz 24.
In the middle 1980s, the staple vehicles for all operators were the Toyota Crown
Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown is a line of full-size luxury sedans by Toyota. The range was primarily available in Japan and some other Asian countries, originally designed to serve as a taxi...
, Nissan Cedric
Nissan Cedric
The Nissan Cedric is a large automobile produced by Nissan since 1960. It was developed to provide upscale transportation, competing with the Prince Skyline and Gloria which were later merged into the Nissan family...
and Isuzu Florian
Isuzu Florian
The Isuzu Florian was an intermediate car manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd. in Japan from 1967 to 1983. The Florian's body remained essentially the same through its unusually long life cycle, being afforded only two moderate facelifts...
. These were stripped-down versions of their Japanese luxury-car siblings, with an emphasis on operating costs over comfort. Cheap plastic fittings and PVC seats replaced materials such as wood and leather, insulation was removed to save weight, and early generation diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s replaced the original petrol units. The resulting vehicles were simple to maintain and extremely reliable, but were lacking in comfort, with very high levels of NVH
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness
Noise, vibration, and harshness , also known as noise and vibration , is the study and modification of the noise and vibration characteristics of vehicles, particularly cars and trucks...
.
The move by various operators to various makes and models of premium vehicles came largely as a result of Euro IV regulations, which came into effect in late 2006. The older diesel engines in the Crown and Cedric are unable to meet the new emissions standards, and these taxis will no longer be offered for sale.
The newer taxicabs benefit from vastly improved interiors and more advanced engines with lower emissions and noise levels, which used to be the preserve of the premium Mercedes-Benz "limousine" services.
ComfortDelgro announced it would acquire a fleet of 2,400 Hyundai Sonatas in November 2007 over the next 2 years for its subsidiaries Comfort and Citycab, during which period they will enjoy exclusive rights from the distributor for using the type as a taxicab.
All taxicabs in Singapore have to pay the much higher road tax applied to diesel-powered passenger cars, which was intended to deter people from using diesel-powered vehicles for private use. This road tax bill is footed by the taxi company (except for STTA taxis), and can be as high as S$6,300 annually. However, some operators are trialling vehicles powered by natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
, which are not only exempted from diesel taxes, but are also given waivers on road tax intended to offset the higher cost of ownership and to make them more attractive for the early adoptors of the cleaner vehicles.
Currently, the following vehicle makes and models are in use:
- Normal vehicles:
- Fiat DobloFiat DoblòThe Fiat Doblò is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle produced by Italian automaker Fiat since 2000, it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2000.-First generation :...
Petrol - Honda AirwaveHonda AirwaveThe Honda Airwave is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 2005. It is a five-door station wagon version of the City / Fit Aria and Fit/Jazz, which are a sedan and a hatchback respectively. The Airwave is built on the Global Small Car platform; however, unlike the City and...
(CNG) - Honda FreedHonda FreedThe Honda Freed is a Mini MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 2008. The vehicle is a replacement for the Honda Mobilio. The Freed is based on the Jazz/Fit platform. Three different versions of the Freed are available: a seven-seat version which features captain’s seats in the second...
- Honda StepwgnHonda StepwgnThe Honda Stepwgn appeared in the Tokyo Motor Show as the "F-MX" in 1995, and in 1996 May 8 the Stepwgn emerged. At that time, Japan's commercial delivery vehicles was based on the engine being under the driver's seat, or a cabover type like the Stepwgn was based on the Civic FF layout of the...
(CNG) - Honda StreamHonda StreamThe Honda Stream is a compact MPV manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda since 2001. Japanese models have gasoline direct injection 1.7 L and 2.0 L engines with improved fuel efficiency...
(CNG) - Hyundai SonataHyundai SonataThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
- Hyundai Azera (CNG)
- Kia CarensKia CarensThe Kia Carens is a compact MPV launched in 1999 by the Korean manufacturer Kia and marketed worldwide under various nameplates, prominently as the Kia Rondo....
(CNG) - Kia CarnivalKia CarnivalThe Kia Carnival is a minivan manufactured by Kia Motors, introduced in September 1998, now in its second generation and marketed globally under various nameplates – prominently as the Kia Sedona....
- Kia Magentis
- Nissan CedricNissan CedricThe Nissan Cedric is a large automobile produced by Nissan since 1960. It was developed to provide upscale transportation, competing with the Prince Skyline and Gloria which were later merged into the Nissan family...
Y31 - Chevrolet Epica
- Honda Jazz/FitHonda FitThe Honda Jazz is a five-door hatchback subcompact manufactured by the Honda Motor Company of Japan, first introduced in June 2001 and is now in its second generation. The Jazz shares Honda's Global Small Car Platform with the City/Fit Aria, Airwave/Partner, Mobilio, Mobilio Spike, Freed and Freed...
- Peugeot PartnerPeugeot PartnerThe Peugeot Partner is a van and leisure activity vehicle made by the French car manufacturer Peugeot. The van is named Partner and the leisure activity vehicle Partner Combi. In Italy it is known as the Peugeot Ranch....
- Toyota AllionToyota AllionThe Toyota Allion is a compact sedan sold in Japan by Toyota as designated by Japanese regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement. The Toyota Allion has a lot of space for the people sitting in the back-seats...
- Toyota Camry (CNG)
- Toyota AlphardToyota AlphardThe Toyota Alphard is a luxury MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota since 2002. It is available as a seven or eight-seater with 2.4 and 3.0 litre gasoline engines in 3 different model lines - Alphard G, Alphard V, and the Alphard Hybrid, which uses the 2.4 litre engine along with an...
(7-seater) - Toyota Corolla Axio (CNG)
- Toyota Corolla Fielder (CNG)
- Toyota Crown Comfort
- Toyota Estima (CNG)
- Toyota HiaceToyota HiaceThe Toyota HiAce is a motor vehicle produced by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. First launched in 1967, the HiAce has since been available in a wide range of configurations, including minivan and minibus, van, pick-up, taxi, and ambulance....
(13-seater) - Toyota HiluxToyota HiluxThe Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
- Toyota PremioToyota PremioThe Toyota Premio is a compact sedan sold in Japan by Toyota as designated by Japanese regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement....
- Toyota PriusToyota PriusThe Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
(Hybrid) - Toyota WishToyota WISHThe Toyota WISH is a Compact MPV produced by Japanese automaker Toyota since 2003. It is available as a six and seven-seater, equipped with either a 1.8 or 2.0-litre gasoline engine...
(CNG)
- Premium vehicles (higher booking charges)
- Chrysler 300Chrysler 300The Chrysler 300 is a full-size upscale car first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built as a high-end sedan while the SRT-8 model was designed to be the...
C - Mercedes-Benz E-ClassMercedes-Benz E-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive-size cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood for Einspritzmotor, ; a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the...
(E220 CDI and E200 NGT natural gas/petrol bi-fuel) - Mercedes-Benz S400 HybridMercedes-Benz S-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The classification was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116 S-Class, which succeeded previous Mercedes-Benz models dating to the mid-1950s...
- Mercedes-Benz VitoMercedes-Benz VitoThe Mercedes-Benz Vito is a light van produced by Mercedes-Benz in the Basque town of Vitoria, Spain. From the name of the city Vitoria came the name Vito. The name was also derived from an exemplary, long-standing employee, Vito Rosenstein...
115 CDI (7-seater) - SsangYong Rodius SV270 XDI (7-seater)
- Hyundai StarexHyundai StarexThe Hyundai Starex is a van built by the Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea andIndonesia.First generation models were known in Europe as the Hyundai H-1 and as the Hyundai H200 in the Netherlands...
CRDI (7-Seater)
All of these vehicles seat 4 adult passengers unless otherwise stated. Passengers are required by law to wear seat belts, but this rule is rarely enforced.
External links
- Singapore Taxi - Taxis info & rates in Singapore
- Singapore Ministry of Transport
- Mega Cabs - 13-seater Mega-Cabs from eBustop.com
- Maxi Cab
- Taxis in Singapore
- Taxi statistics
- Think Singapore - The Singapore Taxi Experience by Ieuan Dolby, from
- TripSum.com 1st online ERP / Taxi fare calculator to check and calculate taxi fare inclusive of (Electronic Road Pricing)ERP amount and taxi surcharges needed for a passenger's taxi trip at different day, time, cab and place in Singapore
- Worldtaximeter - Taxi fare calculator in Singapore
- Limousine Cab - Limousine Taxi Cabs in Singapore