Grab bags taxi licence

This expands the street-hail sector's total number of taxi operators to six.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a Street-Hail Service Operator Licence (SSOL) to GrabCab Pte Ltd. (GrabCab).

GrabCab’s entry into the street-hail sector brings the total number of taxi operators to six, providing drivers and commuters with more choices and is expected to boost taxi supply.

Under the licence, GrabCab will be allowed a three-year grace period to progressively expand its fleet to meet the minimum fleet size requirement of 800 taxis.

Valid for 10 years, the licence will commence on 9 April. GrabCab will need to comply with the conditions of its licence, including meeting LTA’s safety standards and ensuring that partnership arrangements with drivers are non-exclusive.

“Grab is grateful to the Land Transport Authority for granting us a taxi license, which provides us the opportunity to introduce GrabCab, a taxi fleet to complement private hire cars on our platform,” a spokesperson from Grab said.

“Grab will sponsor Taxi Driver’s Vocational License course fees for aspiring taxi drivers and 6-month National Taxi Association membership fees for new members planning to join GrabCab,” the spokesperson added.

Additionally, Grab plans to launch a fully green GrabCab fleet, featuring popular low- and zero-emission hybrid and electric vehicles.