Singapore-based taxi operator ComfortDelGro and Indonesia-based on-demand mobile platform Gojek are coming together to jointly explore ways to address key issues affecting the point-to-point transport industry, including driver shortage.

As part of a wide-ranging collaborative effort that will span the next two years, the two companies have agreed to look at providing Gojek users with access to ComfortDelGro taxis via the Gojek app to help address the driver shortage issue that is currently facing the industry, both parties said in a statement on Monday.

They will also explore other areas of collaboration including the sharing of resources which will benefit drivers and passengers. These include electric vehicle and ancillary revenue opportunities, as well as support solutions like insurance, driver training and vehicle maintenance.

ComfortDelGro Private Mobility Group Chief Executive Officer Jackson Chia sees the collaborative effort as a win-win situation for all stakeholders involved and is excited at the possibilities that it will bring to the industry as well as drivers and customers.

He said this collaborative effort marks a significant milestone not only for both ComfortDelGro and Gojek, but also for the point-to-point industry (P2P) as a whole.

“Our drivers and customers are always at the heart of what we do. By looking at how we can improve the fulfilment rates, we are essentially improving driver welfare,

“Better fulfilment rates translate to more earnings for drivers, and that in turn, will encourage vocational licence holders to consider rejoining the P2P industry. It will then improve the level of service to commuters as having a bigger pool of drivers means less waiting time for them,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gojek Singapore’s General Manager Lien Choong Luen said working with ComfortDelGro to combine their fleets will enable them to better meet the increasing demand for rides and boost the availability of orders for drivers, increasing their earning opportunities while at the same time reducing waiting times for passengers.

“With more commuters on the roads, this is a win-win for all. Drivers are a critical element within Singapore’s transport infrastructure and I hope this announcement will encourage more driver-partners to consider joining or returning to our platform,

“Today marks the start of more exciting things to come, and we look forward to working closely with ComfortDelGro to further enhance Singapore’s point-to-point industry, creating a better mobility experience for all,” he added.

According to the statement, more details will be announced over the course of the next few months.

ComfortDelGro is one of the world’s largest land transport companies with a total fleet size of about 34,000 buses, taxis and rental vehicles. The firm also runs 177km of light and heavy rail networks in Singapore and New Zealand.

Its global operations span seven countries – Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, Ireland and Malaysia.

Gojek is Southeast Asia’s leading on-demand platform and a pioneer of the multi-service ecosystem model, providing access to a wide range of services including transportation, food delivery, logistics and more.

The firm is founded on the principle of leveraging technology to remove life’s daily frictions by connecting consumers to the best providers of goods and services in the market.

First established in 2010, Gojek has grown to become the leading on-demand platform in Indonesia, with additional operations in Vietnam and Singapore.

The Gojek platform now comprises 2.6 million driver partners across the region. Gojek is part of the GoTo Group, the largest digital ecosystem in Indonesia, consisting of Gojek, Tokopedia and GoTo Financial.

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