Third-time lucky for incoming river-taxi operator

SINGAPORE — From plying the waters around Singapore’s port, marine transportation services company York Launch Service will dive into the Singapore River next year as the area’s second river-taxi operator.

It beat six other companies in a tender awarded by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) last month, and will begin services between Jiak Kim and the Singapore Sports Hub from Jan 1 next year.

The tender was called after the previous operator, Singapore River Explorer, was unable to renew its licence. A joint venture between Global Yellow Pages and Leisure Empire, it ceased operations on Jan 1 this year.

The win was third-time lucky for York Launch Service, which has been keen to offer river-taxi services since 2007. “Certainly we are very happy about it,” said director Kieu Kim Sen, who called it an opportunity to expand the business.

The company submitted the second-highest licence fee of S$2.88 million for the tender, behind Adval Brand Group’s top bid of S$3.72 million, but ahead of five other bidders including former operator Singapore Ducktours, which bid about S$1.13 million. Also bidding were Eng Hup Shipping, Leisure Frontier (S), Republic Express and Tian San Shipping.

As part of the deal, York Launch Service will have to provide shuttle services for at least two hours during the morning and evening peak periods each day, charging no more than S$5 per trip. It may also offer “differentiated” services such as sightseeing cruises, luxury charters and themed boats for dining and entertainment.

Mr Kieu was unable to comment on the number of boats or staff that his company will devote to operations on the Singapore River.

But he said operators should not cannibalise each other and should carve out their own niches. The incumbent, Singapore River Cruise, seems “fully committed in providing a river cruise for the mass tourist market”, observed Mr Kieu.

York Launch Service’s business plan is to look at private charters and collaborate with businesses around the Marina Reservoir and the rest of Singapore.

“One example is working with schools in Singapore (to provide) guided educational cruises in the Marina Reservoir area highlighting our … history as well as showcasing our future developments,” he said, adding that the boats could serve as “open classrooms”. Collaborators could include Gardens by the Bay and Marina Barrage, he suggested.

Incorporated in 1993, York Launch Service began with a fleet of six old wooden launches providing marine transportation services in the coastal waters. It hires about 150 workers and has a fleet of more than 40 vessels today, said Mr Kieu.

It serves shipping agents who need to access ships anchored in Singapore waters, and the company also provides chartered launches on a long-term basis for marine construction projects here.

The licence granted by URA is for two years, with an option to renew for three more years. Seventy per cent of URA’s evaluation criteria was based on the proposed licence fee, 20 per cent on quality (concept, differentiated services and design of ticketing kiosks), and 10 per cent on track record.

Incumbent operator Singapore River Cruise’s river-taxi route runs between the Esplanade and Robertson Quay on weekdays from 8am to 10am and 5pm to 7pm for S$5 per trip, and its river cruise for sightseers costs S$25 for a 40-minute ride.