expect a quieter ride in HDT Singapore's electric taxis
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October roll-out for all-electric fleet of taxis
Mr Ng said commuters can expect a quieter ride in HDT Singapore's electric taxis. The first 10 e-cabs are expected to start plying the roads next month, and the fleet will rise to 100 next year.ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
One-month delay as operator is ironing out technical issues with driver management system
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, said new operator HDT Singapore Taxi.
Managing director James Ng said yesterday that technical issues with a driver management system were being addressed.
The system will be used to track the fare earnings and targets of taxi drivers, who are employed full-time - a unique practice in the industry. The other five taxi firms, which operate a combined 28,000 cabs, rent out their taxis to hirers.
Mr Ng told The Straits Times he expects the first 10 e-taxis - manufactured by Shenzhen-based battery and automaker BYD (Build Your Dreams) - to start plying the roads in a couple of weeks. The fleet will be progressively ramped up to 100 next year.
The flag-down fare will be $3.90, with a meter rate of 25 cents for every 400m for the first 10km, and every 350m thereafter, he said.
While this is pricier than the 22-cent meter rate charged by the bulk of the taxis here, he is optimistic commuters will take to the green rides. "For a 10km ride, it's about 75 cents more, but commuters will get to experience an electric car, which is more comfortable as they ride in total silence, compared to a car with a combustion engine," he said.
While HDT's e-taxi operation is part of a government electric-vehicle (EV) test bed, Mr Ng said he has to cover operating costs, including maintaining a call centre and mobile payment systems.
HDT also needs about 40 charging stations, each costing up to $20,000. It has 26 so far, he said.
As it is a trial, HDT's fleet size will be capped at 100, and its licence to operate taxis at eight years.
Despite the competition faced by the taxi industry from private-hire car services like Uber and Grab, Mr Ng is confident he can attract taxi drivers. He has hired 10 so far.
"I don't think it's a downside but an opportunity to attract taxi drivers by offering them a fixed salary and good training," he added. The basic salary is $1,600 a month but they can earn up to $3,200, if they hit a monthly revenue target. If they exceed this, they will co-share the revenue with HDT.
Some commuters said they may forgo the electric taxis as the 25-cent rate could add up. A 22km ride from Simei to Raffles Place, for example, would cost about $1.80 more. Mr Arvin Kanagalingam, 34, a customer service officer, said: "I would probably opt for cheaper taxis, unless I am in a rush."
Others were willing to give it a go. Mr Augustine Lim, 38, a communications executive, said: "It's not a big deal. I'll enjoy a quieter ride and be doing my part for the environment."
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Why delay in launching? Because they have not con any driver from signing up with them lah. The fare collection still have to deduct GST for them to pay the government because unlike TD we are running our own business with revenue less then $1m so the fare we collect is nett nett. For them they still have to pay tax. Went to their briefing. If a TD can hit their taget we drive on our own we can earn more lah. Stupid then sign for them. Smlj earn up to $3200 the figure is inclusive of your CPF.
OMO their target is $7500 a month. Means around $260++ a day. For OMO we drive every month can hit $7500 easily nett nett $3000-$3600 depending on the age of your taxi. Above the target we pocket fare. But if driving for them still need to share with them 55/45% and yes you only get 45%. Lol
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hold dreams together?
hmm.................
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$7500? Wow. Becoming a TD now!
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Originally posted by tanyantao:
$7500? Wow. Becoming a TD now!
Collections not profit
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Aiya, at least not an apps company like uber and grab mah. Siao eh still think taxi got a niche in today market. Dunno who give him the sound advice to invest in taxi. Tia kong electric car from china easily burnt one hor..maybe use 10 first, let the 10 be scape goat..
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How many hours OMO drive? If OMO should aim for $200 to $250 profit a day.
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OMO $250 where got enough, OMO leh
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Those who just got their TDVL or those who already have one, but have never driven a taxi before because they are not confident, these are the people who will go for it. But let's take a look at the starting fare of $3.90. Once I was at AP, and there was this auntie who said it loud and clear, "I only want a taxi with $3.20 starting fare. Also when I am at the zoo, and foreigners especially, when they look at the $3.60 flagdown rate displayed on tyhe window, they are hesitant to take my cab. Usually if there are coordinators on duty, they will try their best to convince these foreigners that mine is a standard taxi. Yet, when they get in, they will ask again just to confirm.
Just a couple of days ago, there was a very long queue of pax at the zoo, I went to the taxi stand, no other taxi there, it was pick and go. Yet the pax there just stood still, looking at me and holding everyone else back. I beckoned to her to get in. The first thing she asked me was, "Is this a limo cab?"
So if $3.60 flagdown fare makes pax reluctant to take a cab, what do you think will happen with these cabs having the same flagdown rate as limos? Good luck to the drivers who choose to drive these cabs!
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not easy to flag these off the street, most likely need to book
cos these drivers are employed with full employment benefits, not self employed ones
sure to skive while on the job, see you raise hand, ti gong kwa bo , haha
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for these drivers , earn or not , not their problem, its the boss problem, end of month, coolie kang zao gia
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Originally posted by Jason65:
Those who just got their TDVL or those who already have one, but have never driven a taxi before because they are not confident, these are the people who will go for it. But let's take a look at the starting fare of $3.90. Once I was at AP, and there was this auntie who said it loud and clear, "I only want a taxi with $3.20 starting fare. Also when I am at the zoo, and foreigners especially, when they look at the $3.60 flagdown rate displayed on tyhe window, they are hesitant to take my cab. Usually if there are coordinators on duty, they will try their best to convince these foreigners that mine is a standard taxi. Yet, when they get in, they will ask again just to confirm.
Just a couple of days ago, there was a very long queue of pax at the zoo, I went to the taxi stand, no other taxi there, it was pick and go. Yet the pax there just stood still, looking at me and holding everyone else back. I beckoned to her to get in. The first thing she asked me was, "Is this a limo cab?"
So if $3.60 flagdown fare makes pax reluctant to take a cab, what do you think will happen with these cabs having the same flagdown rate as limos? Good luck to the drivers who choose to drive these cabs!
This common due to a damaged market. -
You see, everyone on the street today tend to perceive Apps ride as cheaper than taxi, and any taxi that is big and completely white, black or sometime silver is consider as the most expensive. A person or even tourist board a taxi, may asked how is the merc and limo cost, most normal cab driver will tell them very expensive, an apps driver will tell them taxis expensive and those limo are worst, very expensive. So as words travelled, we are perceived expensive, then one day or the other, when apps ride surge pricing, someone will complain why so expensive, why 3 x more expensive than taxi...but they forget when they are taking the non surge promotion period, it was so cheap.