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ComfortDelGro doubles rewards to lure train, bus commuters to use its cabs

SINGAPORE — ComfortDelGro Taxi, the Republic’s largest taxi operator, is dangling double the reward points to lure commuters to hop onto its cabs within 24 hours of alighting from a bus or train ride.

ComfortDelGro Taxi's new initiative, called CabRewards+, offers more points that can be redeemed for rewards - if you take a ComfortDelGro cab within 24 hours of alighting from a bus or train ride. TODAY file photo.

ComfortDelGro Taxi's new initiative, called CabRewards+, offers more points that can be redeemed for rewards - if you take a ComfortDelGro cab within 24 hours of alighting from a bus or train ride. TODAY file photo.

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SINGAPORE — ComfortDelGro Taxi, the Republic’s largest taxi operator, is dangling double the reward points to lure commuters to hop onto its cabs within 24 hours of alighting from a bus or train ride.

The points earned can be used to redeem a variety of rewards, including instant discounts for taxi bookings via the ComfortDelGro app, taxi vouchers or free transfers to the airport via its CabRewards website.

For example, a S$10 cab ride, which would typically earn commuters 10 Cabpoints under the CabRewards Programme, will translate into 20 Cabpoints under the initiative, called CabRewards+, which was launched on Wednesday (June 28).

For every 83 Cabpoints, commuters can get an instant discount of 50 cents off their cab fare, up to a maximum discount of S$10.

For every 1,000 Cabpoints, commuters can redeem a S$5 taxi voucher, which will be mailed to them within 14 working days.

To qualify for the scheme, commuters need to sign up for a CabRewards account. On successful activation, they can register up to two EZ-Link or Nets FlashPay cards, which must be the same cards they use to exit buses and trains.

At the end of their cab ride, they have to tap their registered cards on the taxi’s cashless payment terminal to earn Cabpoints.

Speaking at the launch at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, ComfortDelGro Taxi’s chief executive officer Ang Wei Neng said this is the first time that bus and train trips are integrated with taxi rides in Singapore.

“With this initiative, we hope to make their use of the multi-modal transport system more rewarding,” he added.

In the first phase, only commuters taking SBS Transit buses, the North-East Line and the Downtown Line, as well as the Punggol and Sengkang LRT systems will enjoy discounts on ComfortDelGro taxis.

But Mr Ang added that the company expects to extend the benefits to commuters taking buses or trains operated by other operators such as Go-Ahead, SMRT and Tower Transit, subject to approval by the Land Transport Authority.

When asked if its latest move is aimed at beating competition from the likes of ride-hailing firms Grab and Uber, Mr Ang said: “Competition is everywhere, and we have to come up with a unique value proposition ... that will benefit our commuters.”

Mr Harry Ng, who has been driving a Comfort DelGro taxi for 22 years, estimated that about 80 per cent of his passengers take a bus or train before boarding his taxi.

He called the CabRewards+ initiative a “win-win situation” for both commuters and drivers.

“It’s good for commuters when they take the taxi because it’s more affordable, and the taxi (drivers) will have business too,” said the 58-year-old, who drives for 12 hours every day.

Several commuters TODAY spoke to said they would give the new initiative a try.

“I wouldn’t deliberately break my routine and take a cab … because it will still be more costly,” said sales manager Steven Lee.

“But I will consider (CabRewards+) in the event of a downpour, or if I’m running late,” added the 52-year-old who commutes to his office at Outram Park by MRT and bus.

Singapore Management University second-year student Jarelle Quek called the initiative an “ingenious idea”, adding that it will help students who frequently rely on cabs to get to their classes on time to save some money.

“Sometimes, I realise only halfway during the MRT ride that I’m going to be late, so I alight and take a cab instead,” said the 19-year-old, who would otherwise take a bus from Outram Park MRT to school.

“But of course, it’s quite expensive, so this (initiative) would be great.”

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