In a move that may affect commuters and tourists alike, the revised surcharge for taxi rides from Changi Airport and several wildlife attractions will become permanent starting July 1, 2024.
The location surcharge for pick-ups from Changi Airport, Changi Air Freight Centre, Airport Police Station, and Airport Logistics Park of Singapore will be permanently increased to $8 for trips between 5pm and 11:59pm from Mondays to Sundays. For trips outside of these hours, the surcharge will remain at $6.
Meanwhile, taxi trips from Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari, and Bird Paradise will also see a permanent increase in the location surcharge from $3 to $5 for trips between 1pm and 11:59pm from Mondays to Sundays.
The changes were announced by major taxi operators ComfortDelGro and Strides Premier on their Facebook pages on June 24, while Trans-Cab and Prime published notices in The Business Times on the same date, as reported by The Straits Times.
The permanent increase in surcharges may come as a surprise to some, but it is likely to impact commuters who frequently use taxi services from these locations. The move may also affect tourists visiting Singapore’s popular wildlife attractions.
While the exact reason behind the permanent increase is unclear, it is possible that the taxi operators are seeking to offset rising operational costs or adjust to changes in demand.
As the taxi industry continues to evolve, commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and factor in the increased surcharges when using taxi services from these locations.
The permanent increase in surcharges is set to take effect on July 1, 2024, and commuters are urged to stay informed about any further changes to taxi fares and surcharges.
Here is what CofortDelgro posted on Facebook:
Starting 1 July 2024, the temporary revised location surcharges for all trips originating from Mandai and Changi Airport will be made permanent. The surcharge for pick-ups at Mandai will be revised from $3 to $5, while the surcharge for pick-ups at Changi Airport will remain unchanged. Please refer to the tables above for more information. Our website will only reflect the surcharge changes from 1 July 2024 onwards: https://www.cdgtaxi.com.sg/ride-with-us/fares/
*Location surcharges are determined in consultation with premise owners. Operators lodge surcharges or changes with the Public Transport Council (PTC) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) upon receiving the requests from the premise owners. This mechanism aims to increase the supply of taxis at underserved areas by incentivising drivers.
Image Source via: ComfortDelgro Facebook page