From March 1, the flagdown rate for Prime Taxis' 100-plus copper-coloured cabs will rise by 30 cents. -- ST PHOTO: DOMINIC WONG

AFTER holding out for over a month, Singapore's smallest cab operator, Prime Taxis, will raise its fares to come in line with other companies here.

At a meeting on Tuesday, over 90 per cent of Prime's 120 cabbies voted in favour of raising fares, said general manager Tan Choon Chye.

From March 1, the flagdown rate for the company's 100-plus copper-coloured cabs will rise by 30 cents to $2.80.

Thereafter, the fare will jump by 20 cents every 385m - up to 10km - from 10 cents every 210m previously.

At the same time, Prime will implement what commuters have called the most unpopular change of all: a 35 per cent surcharge on the metered fare during peak hours. That is up from the previous flat charge of $2.

This surcharge ends up being especially pricey for commuters who make long-distance trips. For instance, a $22 ride before the fare hike now costs nearly $30 during peak hours.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.