In an email newsletter sent out to its users today (December 9), local ride-hailing firm Ryde announced that the rollout of a “pre-authorisation charge” for all debit and credit card payments, effective from December 1.
A pre-authorisation is a “temporary hold” placed on your credit or debit card for an upcoming transaction, explained Ryde.
The pre-authorisation amount includes an estimation of the toll charges based on the fastest calculated route, as well as an amount of S$4 for a waiting time or cancellation fee.
The pre-authorisation charge will be reverted to your back account if the trip is not completed. However, cancellation fees may apply if the trip is cancelled four minutes after the trip match.
For RydePOOL trips, since toll charges are already included in the fare, the pre-authorisation charge will only include the trip fare and waiting time or cancellation fee.
Drivers are only allowed to impose the waiting time fee if they’re at the pick-up location according to the GPS data and has waited for more than four minutes. If any of these are not fulfilled, the rider will not be charged the S$4 waiting time fee.
Ryde reasoned that this move is an effort to help keep its community “like-minded, safe and respectable.”
New subscription plan for Ryde users
Separately, Ryde also recently launched a new “value subscription plan” on December 1 for users who are looking to make the most of their time and money.
Called Ryde+, it unlocks exclusive perks and additional savings on your rides.
For S$19.99 per month, Ryders will get S$20 RydeCoins credited into their wallet immediately, 20 per cent RydeCoins cashback (no limit, no cap) on selected car rides, and more.
The following Ryde services will be eligible for unlimited number of RydeCoins Cashback with no minimum fare required: RydeX, RydeXL, RydePET and RydeSEND.
To subscribe to Ryde+, you can click on the ‘≡’ button and select ‘Ryde+’ or click on the Ryde+ banner in the homepage.
After clicking “Subscribe now”, you simply need to input the additional details and select your mode of payment to confirm your subscription.
Do note that Ryde+ subscriptions are renewed monthly on a rolling basis. If you would like to cancel the subscription, you are required to do so a day before the end of your subscription cycle.
Those who sign up by 31 December 2021 will enjoy an early bird promo and get S$25 RydeCoins credited for the first month of subscription.
Featured Image Credit: Ryde