Taxi operator, ComfortDelGro (CDG), launched an on-demand booking app that lets commuters book seats on their premium bus service on Monday (6 August).
This is a similar service to Beeline, who also has a bus-pooling feature, and GrabShuttle.
Commuters who use the CDGBus OnDemand app are guaranteed a seat when they successfully book a CDG bus ride once payments go through the debit or credit card.
If a bus is oversubscribed, commuters who had booked a ride via the app will be prioritised. Those that didn’t book with the app will have to wait for the next available bus.
The app allows multiple bookings up to 24 hours in advance, bookings for multiple passengers, and can ‘favourite’ frequent pick-up and drop-off points in the app for quicker future bookings.
Bus status can be tracked on the app prior to its arrival.
For now, the app only serves the popular Tanjong Rhu to Shenton Way premium service, which costs S$5 per trip.
The service runs from Mondays to Fridays, between 7.45am and 9.15am, and 6pm and 8pm. Bus intervals are between 10 to 20 minutes.
Passengers can board the bus from designated pickup points along the route.
CDG said this service is similar to the one in Australia where it is operated by their sister company, CDG NSW.
Pang Weng Heng, CEO of ComfortDelGro Bus, revealed that more services will be added in the future.
“With the wide proliferation of smartphones, it only makes sense for us to launch this new booking service for the convenience of our commuters. It gives them the assurance of a ride with the affordability of a bus ride.”
To celebrate the launch of the app, commuters can enjoy 50% off their first ride when they book via the app.
They will also receive a refund for every 16th ride booked, valid from 6 August to 5 October.
Download the CDGBus app for iOS here and for Android here.
Featured Image Credit: ComfortDelGro, SGBuses.com