Southeast Asia’s superapp Grab has officially flagged off the first batch of GrabCabs on last Wednesday, marking a new chapter in Singapore’s taxi landscape with a pioneering fleet of sleek, eco-friendly vehicles designed to enhance ride availability and commuter experience across the island.
The firm said in a statement that Singapore’s point-to-point transport landscape has evolved rapidly in recent years, with ride-hailing now an integral part of travel.
Yet segments of the community —such as seniors, tourists and commuters without ready access to smartphones or mobile data — still rely on taxis for their commute.
GrabCab bridges this accessibility gap by working alongside the existing private-hire vehicle (PHV) fleet to provide reliable and convenient ride options for everyone.
As the newest taxi operator in Singapore in seven years, GrabCab’s fleet features some of the greenest vehicles on local roads, including the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Kona.
More environmentally friendly models from leading manufacturers will be progressively added to meet driver demand and sustainability goals.
Meanwhile, every GrabCab is equipped with proprietary Grab technologies designed to enhance safety and efficiency.
These include artificial intelligence (AI)-powered devices that monitor driving behavior and road conditions, promoting safer driving on the road while helping drivers avoid hazards.
An integrated mobile data terminal also automatically syncs trip fares to the driver’s app and payment terminal, ensuring fare accuracy.
Safety at GrabCab extends beyond the vehicle. All drivers have undergone a rigorous screening process focused on safety, professionalism, and service standards.
As the first touchpoint for many passengers, these drivers are carefully selected to represent the quality and reliability Grab aims to deliver through its growing taxi fleet.
While GrabCab enhances the commuter experience, it also introduces a new level of support for taxi drivers — including lower operating costs, improved safety tools, and a suite of industry-first benefits aimed at attracting and retaining quality drivers.
These efforts are designed not only to support GrabCab drivers, but to raise standards across the broader taxi industry.
“Through ongoing conversations with drivers, we’ve gained valuable insights into their needs—insights that have shaped the introduction of industry-first benefits such as medical leave and Instant Payout,
“These measures help ensure drivers can take the time they need to recover when sick, while also improving their cash flow,” said Yee Wee Tang, Group Managing Director of Operations at Grab.
“We believe that by offering this level of support, we’re not only helping individual drivers but also raising the bar for the entire taxi industry,
“At the same time, by bringing taxis and private-hire vehicles together on one platform, we’re strengthening the overall network to provide more reliable and accessible rides for commuters across Singapore,” he added.
Victor Sim, Director of GrabRentals, which oversees GrabCab, said the firm sees taxis continuing to function as an important part of Singapore’s transport future.
“With GrabCab, we have the opportunity to modernize the experience — not just by introducing cleaner vehicles and smarter tech, but by making taxi driving a sustainable career better suited for a transport landscape that has evolved tremendously within the last decade,
“This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to build this together with our drivers and passengers,” he added.
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