Owning a car in Singapore can be a exorbitant affair, but there’s no denying the convenience it brings.
This is especially so if you’re travelling in groups from house to house during festive periods.
Of course, booking a Grab or Gojek around is an option, but if you’re travelling to different parts of the island in a day, it might just make more financial sense to rent a car for a day.
With the Chinese New Year visitation spree coming up, car and motorcycle rental company Tribecar wants to make car rental more inclusive for drivers in Singapore.
Known for its “$2/hr” pitch, Tribecar has just announced that it will now let drivers under the age of 23 or with less than two years of driving experience rent their cars.
This means that drivers who have just gotten their license would also be able to rent a car to drive around.
This is probably a welcome move, given that drivers under the age of 23 and/or with less than two years of driving experience (indicated in their driving license) are considered ‘new drivers’ and typically won’t be able to rent cars from other companies.
Said Adrian Lee, co-founder of Tribecar: “Our vision is to make vehicle rental accessible, affordable and safer for everyone in Singapore. We noticed an increased demand for car rental services among drivers who have recently received their driving licence, and saw an opportunity to serve the market.”
“As the first car-sharing operator that caters to new drivers, we hope to bridge the gap by giving them the opportunity to utilise their newly minted licenses at affordable rates.”
The Downside: New Drivers Won’t Be Getting The $2/Hr Rate
However, these new drivers would need to contend with rental rates that are at a premium to experienced drivers “to reflect the increased insurance protection required.
Explained Lee: “As road safety is our priority, we will share useful tips on how to be responsible drivers and implement driver-assisting technologies which will enhance their safety on the road.”
They would also need to make a refundable security deposit of $200.
Drivers can rent their cars via Tribecar’s website, and once the reservation is confirmed, will be able to pick up the car at the selected location.
‘New driver’-enabled cars will be available near the following MRT stations – Chai Chee, Choa Chu Kang, Seng Kang, Jurong East, Punggol.
On the flipside, experienced drivers will be able to gain access to over 370 vehicles located at over 270 locations island-wide.
Drivers interested in renting a car can estimate the total cost they’ll need to fork out through Tribecar’s online calculator here.
