Tuesday, 27 October 2015

What it takes to be a Grabcar or UberX driver.


From the driver's perspective, the main worry is whether there is enough business to make it worthwhile to be a Grabcar driver instead being a normal taxi driver. Remember, Grabcar drivers are allowed to ferry passengers only from call bookings and not street jobs.

I think the popularity of using private cars as taxis to travel will improve when LTA address and regulate the service, reliability and security issues of this new business. When stringent LTA regulations are implemented, commuters confidence in using private cars will rocket off.

Grabcar and Uber can send taxi operators into bankruptcy if they and their drivers offer a pricing to commuters that's impossible for them to resist. For example, if Grabcar and Uber charges $20 at non-peak hours from Changi airport to Jurong Point compared to a normal cab fare of $30, which commuter would be foolish to take a normal cab.

As had happened in other countries, I guess such a day (when normal taxi drivers switch to be "private car drivers") will come sooner than expected. I can always become a GrabCar or Uber driver when that day arrives.

Good riddance COMFORT!

An interesting read: Three years on, how has Uber impacted Singapore? (Link)

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18 comments:

  1. e463 November 2015 at 20:49

    As a driver..why would u wanna earn $20 (before uber commission deduction) instead of $30 (nett)????

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  2. Unknown4 November 2015 at 20:56

    Hello Mr James, think u right, soon all the business will go to all these private car if Gov not doing anything. Thought of switching but I think right now these private hire service r more for those part timers and retiree.

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  3. Massage13 November 2015 at 09:03

    Dnt worry, GOV will ask them to get taxi lic and will ban them from using x2 x3 charging system and will not let them use near 8 to 9 years old car. It will be harder for them and their prices will go up sooner or later.

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  4. Unknown17 November 2015 at 20:01

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. foolsh_20001 December 2015 at 14:32

    I liked it.let CDG rot

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  6. Boh Tong27 December 2015 at 21:49

    Wah what has happened to James. The blog has been spammed with so many ads here.
    James are you ok buddy? I am worried if someone of our age keeps quite for a long time.

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  7. Diary of a Singaorean Cabby27 December 2015 at 22:49

    Hi, Boh Tong,

    Thanks for your asking of my well being. I'm ok. Not blogging for a long time?. Well I'm plainly lazy & have lately taken up gardening as a new hobby. Taking this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year 2016. God bless you & your family. Bye...

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  8. Unknown29 December 2015 at 21:13

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Boh Tong30 December 2015 at 16:25

    Ok Ok James good to know that you are fine but just plain lazy to blog hor? Ya sometimes I feel the same too but I got to go on because my readers keep asking me for new juicy stories.
    I wish I have a hobby like gardening too.
    Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy and happy 2016.

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  10. Arthur Wang12 January 2016 at 22:40

    Happy driving and happy 2016. -- www.motivationstuff.com

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  11. Anonymous15 January 2016 at 09:37

    Good site.

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  12. Unknown18 February 2016 at 21:26

    I am very happy to find this blog.Thanks for creating the page! It has good and valuable content which is very rare these days.thanks to for guide to me about car trapped tips.

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  13. gagbush3 March 2016 at 15:20

    We have just shifted to Australia and want to enroll my son to a good driving school for learning manual and automatic driving. Looking for a great Port Macquarie Driving School which has certified instructors and affordable too.

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  14. Anonymous27 March 2016 at 00:22

    Hi uncle James. I read your blog dated 2012 about Prime taxi's deposit of 5k. Is it still the same now or has it improved?

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  15. Diary of a Singaorean Cabby27 March 2016 at 18:45

    Hi Anon,

    I guess the 5k deposit is no longer valid anymore because the car rental market for driving with UBER/GRABCAR is now very competitive. Regards : James

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  16. Unknown21 August 2016 at 11:21

    I wanted to try driving taxis to earn a living. What stop me from jumping into it, I am not familiar with the roads. Can someone share with me their expedience n how to overcome this fear?

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  17. Unknown21 August 2016 at 11:21

    I wanted to try driving taxis to earn a living. What stop me from jumping into it, I am not familiar with the roads. Can someone share with me their expedience n how to overcome this fear?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Diary of a Singaorean Cabby21 August 2016 at 11:35

    Patrick Sin,

    It's natural and a fact that every new taxi driver has the same worry and fear like yours. Not everyone is able to walk when born. We learn as we grow and gain more experience. A common trick I used when I started as a new driver is to honestly declare to the passenger that you're a rookie and ask him/her to guide you to their destination. Nothing to be afraid or be ashamed to ask. Now we've GPS. Use it as much as possible. After three/four months on the road, you'll be comfortable. I promise. Good luck, Bro.


    Rgd

    James Lim



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