Singapore-based limousine service provider Wolero feels that booking a luxurious transport service can be time-consuming, so it has decided to expand its online presence by rolling out a mobile app.
Called Li-nk, it is Singapore’s new premium ride-hailing app that allows users to book professional chauffeurs and a luxury ride.
There are two ride options to choose from: a four-seater sedan, or a six-seater MPV.
The sedan fleet consists of Mercedes-Benz E Class and S-Class, BMW 5 and 7 Series and Audi 6; while the MPV fleet consists of Toyota Vellfire and Alphard, Mercedes Viano and V-class.
Users can schedule and book unlimited rides from one hour to six days in advance wherever they are in the world to a destination where Li-nk’s service is available.
Fares are calculated and quoted based on the distance and time of booking. This fare is fixed and does not fluctuate with changes in supply and demand in the market.
Any journey to or from Changi Airport however, is based in the higher amount of S$55 for sedan or S$60 for MVP.
For pick-up or drop-off at Sentosa and Tuas, a location surcharge of S$10 will be applicable. For Jurong Island destination, a S$20 surcharge is applicable.
How Does It ‘Fare’ (Pun Intended) Against Grab?
In Singapore, no other ride-hailing players offer such premium rides except for Grab.
The ride-hailing giant offers a slew of ride options, including GrabCar Premium (seats four people) and GrabCar Premium 6 (seats six people).
This is comparable to Li-nk’s sedan and MPV rides, which also seats four and six people respectively.
For an idea of how much premium rides cost, I did a quick fare comparison between the two with a random destination input from One Raffles Place to ION Orchard. (Note: Fare checks are done at the same time to avoid any discrepancy.)
For the four-seater ride option, both apps chalk up the same fare though it’s worth noting that Grab showed a surge pricing indicated by the red arrows. Without the surge, Grab’s fare could be cheaper than that of Li-nk’s.
Meanwhile, Li-nk trumps Grab for the six-seater ride with a price difference of $6. This equates to rather significant savings, but as mentioned earlier, Grab’s fare includes the surge pricing so it could be lower at other times.
Grab’s surge could be due to the lack of drivers (“many riders like you, but drivers are few”). For Li-nk, it refuses to disclose how many drivers and vehicles it has in its fleet currently.
Might Expand Service Overseas
According to Li-nk, these premium rides can be a great option for business associates, special celebrations, or for a comfortable family travel.
It is also confident that there is a demand for premium rides in Singapore because it is one of the world’s most dynamic cities and is a vibrant metropolis for businessmen and the casual traveler.
“Li-nk differentiates itself from other ride-hailing apps in the market with its premium services that mirror the quality provided by Wolero,” said Hans van Roosmalen, managing director of Li-nk.
“We have introduced convenience and ease of booking for premium journeys, which was previously less accessible to the everyday consumer.”
By next year, Li-nk aims to expand its service overseas in partnership with premium limousine service providers in major cities around the world.
Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post
