Singapore taxi operator ComfortDelGro has launched a free on-demand bus service in a three-month trial.
Since 15 August, residents living in Tanjong Rhu and Meyer Road have been able to access ComfortDelGro’s ComfortConnect service.
The buses serve a total of 16 physical/virtual stops, with the majority of the including condominiums in the Tanjong Rhu/Meyer Road area, Parkway Parade, the Singapore Swimming Club, and Dunman High School.
The service is available to ComfortConnect users from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Users can choose their pick-up points and drop-off points, and select their pick-up time and date before confirming their booking.
Once the ride is confirmed, users will receive an in-app notification and another reminder notification at least two minutes before the bus arrives.
Even if there is only one booking, the bus will fulfill the ride.
This service is similar to the on-demand bus services the company also provides in Australia.
LTA had conducted an on-demand bus service after a six-month trial in the Joo Koon and Marina-Downtown areas.
Weeks after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) pushed back plans for a scheme like this, The Straits Times (ST) reported.
They found higher costs in running this model than regular fixed-route buses and announced the end of the trial in June.
Pang Weng Heng, ComfortDelGro Bus CEO said, “ComfortDelGro Bus has been providing direct as well as first and last-mile shuttle services to and from residential areas where public transport coverage is less extensive.”
“We believe that on-demand services have the potential to supplement conventional public transport services.”
“Through this trial, we hope to gauge the commercial viability of on-demand services which will help us plan for new services in the future.”
ComfortDelGro Taxi’s new service offering, ComfortRIDE, has recently crossed the two million rides mark.
The ComfortConnect app is available for download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.
Featured Image Credit: Screenshot of the ComfortConnect app