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SINGAPORE : ComfortDelGro Corporation's three taxi companies - Comfort, CityCab and Yellow-Top - are revising their fare structures from July 15.

They said this was to even out demand for taxis and resolve taxi shortage problems before midnight.

Passengers who board Comfort or Yellow-Top cabs after midnight, now pay a flat 50 percent levy surcharge, while those taking CityCab, pay a staggered surcharge of 10 percent to 50 percent from 11.30pm.

From July 15, staggered rates from 11.30pm onwards will apply for all taxis from the three companies.

To even out the demand for taxis, the current booking charges will be raised from $3 to $4 during peak hours from 7.30am to 9.30am and 5.00pm to 11.00pm on weekdays.

This will be reduced to $2.50 during non-peak times, including weekends and public holidays.

The advance booking charges will be standardised to $5.20.

The waiting time fare will be 10 cents per 25 seconds.

Passengers will pay a standard $1 City Area Surcharge from 5pm to 8pm from Mondays to Thursdays, and from 5pm to 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

And it will cost $2.60 - 20 cents more when a commuter flag down a Mercedes taxi.

The other taxi companies - SMRT, Transcab, Smart Automobile and Premier Taxis - are not available for comment.

But earlier reports have said they will not raise fares unless ComfortDelGro, which dominates the market with 17,000 cabs, do so. - CNA/de

SINGAPORE: With bus and MRT fares likely to rise, attention has now shifted to the possibility of a taxi fare hike.

When asked about this possibility, a Comfort DelGro spokesperson said it was all speculation at this point in time.

Comfort DelGro has the giant's share of the taxi market - about 80% - as blue Comfort cabs, Yellow Top cabs and City Cabs come under its umbrella.

The spokesperson added she had no announcement to make at this point in time.

SMRT Taxis says taxi fares remain one of the lowest and most affordable in the world.

But tough working conditions and rising diesel prices will lessen the burden on taxi drivers if fares are made more competitive, it adds.

However, it's understood smaller cab companies will probably take the lead for any increase from the market leader so that they do not lose out on market share. - CNA/ir