Ride hailing startup Gojek is increasing its trip start fares in Singapore from the end of this month (Mar 31). It will also introduce a temporary flat fee for at least two months.
This comes as as fuel prices rise in Singapore, causing operating costs to climb higher for many businesses. Trip start fares will increase by S$0.50 for GoCar trips and S$0.80 for GoCar Premium and GoCar XL services.
Gojek will also introduce a flat fee, also known as a “driver fee” for at least two months (until May 31, depending on market conditions). The flat fee of S$0.50 will be applied to all Gojek trips less than 10 kilometres in distance while trips with more than 10 kilometres in distance will have to pay a flat fee of S$0.80.
Gojek’s GoTaxi service – which goes by the taxi meter – are exempt from the increase in trip start fare and additional driver fee.
Petrol pump prices have spiked across oil retailers in Singapore amid the Russia-Ukraine war crisis which is driving a global surge in oil prices. This has been adding to Gojek and its driver-partners’ operating costs.
Lien Choong Luen, general manager of Gojek Singapore commented: “Rising costs at the pumps directly impact our driver partners’ ability to work and earn and we’ve heard firsthand the challenges they’re facing. The introduction of this fee will help provide much-needed financial support and earnings protection for them.”
“Our driver partners are the backbone of the Gojek platform and our priority is on maintaining their welfare and ensuring that they can build a sustainable livelihood on our platform.”
“We do not take any decision to change fares lightly and know that the rising cost of living impacts all our users,” he added.
Passengers can look forward to promotions and discounts to help offset the change in fares, Choong Luen said.
Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post, David Sing
