Channel NewsAsia 12 Dec 07;
SINGAPORE: Prime Taxi bucked the trend this week when it announced its flag-down fares will not be raised for three months.
But come 1 January, meter rates and city area surcharges will go up.
Prime Taxi drivers said the company's decision is due to the fact that overheads are still manageable as rental rates of Prime's taxis are 30 percent below the market average.
Moreover, Prime's fleet of 100 taxis run on compressed natural gas (CNG) which costs 5 cents for every kilometre, compared to diesel which costs an average of 12 cents per kilometre.
But despite the lower costs, there are practical reasons for the low take-up of CNG cars, which make up less than 1 percent of the 23,000 taxis in Singapore.
Tan Soon Chye, General Manager of Taxi Division, Prime Taxi, said: "Currently, if they want to refuel CNG they will need to go to Jurong Island. However, this will cease to be a problem come January next year when more CNG kiosks are set up in Singapore."
Nonetheless, the company does not think there would be more CNG taxis on the roads anytime soon.
"99 percent of the taxis running on the road now are powered by diesel. In order to convert to CNG, they need a substantial amount of money and time," said Mr Tan.
Prime said it is raising meter rates and city area surcharges – in line with ComfortDelGro – to attract its drivers into the central business district during peak hours.- CNA/so
PREMIER TAXIS latest to raise fares
Leong Wee Keat, Today Online 14 Dec 07;
Premier Taxis is the latest cab company here to align its fares with those of market leader, ComfortDelGro. Besides raising meter fares, Premier said it would triple the city area surcharge and impose a 35-per-cent peak period premium to replace the flat surcharge.
On Tuesday, Smart Taxis had announced it would adjust its fares structure to match those set by ComfortDelGro. Prime has said it is raising only city area surcharges and lowering call booking charges.
Premier, the third largest taxi operator here with 2,300 cabs, notified the Public Transport Council about a fare adjustment on Wednesday. While acknowledging that following ComfortDelGro's adjustments may not be the best solution, Premier's managing director Lim Chong Boo said his company wanted to make it "less complicated" for commuters.
