Dynamic pricing for cabs kicks off

Grab's new dynamic pricing option for taxis was rolled out yesterday, with commuters generally giving it positive reviews. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Grab's new dynamic pricing option for taxis was rolled out yesterday, with commuters generally giving it positive reviews as fares were fixed upfront and on occasion cheaper.

But while the fares - which varied according to demand - were mostly lower than Grab's own private-hire car service, GrabCar, they were not always cheaper compared with a taxi going by the metered rates.

In an e-mail to its customers yesterday, Grab said that about 50,000 taxis and private-hire cars would be available for booking under JustGrab. About a fifth of those are taxis.

Some cabbies expressed concern about how this would affect their take-home pay.

Many noted that the fares were much lower than what they would have received if they were to go by the meter, and might not be sustainable.

SEE TOP OF THE NEWS: Commuters cheer dynamic pricing, but some cabbies unhappy

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 30, 2017, with the headline Dynamic pricing for cabs kicks off. Subscribe