ComfortDelGro reports total of over
17 million bookings in 2006
Singaporeans are calling for cabs
more often.
ComfortDelGro received more than 17 million bookings for its
Comfort, CityCab, and Yellow-Top taxis in 2006 - 20 percent more
than in 2005.
Singapore's largest taxi company says a stronger economy has
brought more business for cabbies as people are willing to pay more
to have a taxi at their doorstep.
It also credits its improved taxi booking system for bringing in
more customers.
On average, commuters who call in only have to wait for 30 seconds
to confirm a taxi, and are picked up within 6 minutes.
The highest number of calls was received on April 28, which was one
of the wettest days of the year and the beginning of the Labour Day
weekend.
There were 76,500 calls which were 53 percent more than the usual
average of 50,000 a day.
The month of May was the busiest with more than 1.6 million calls,
14 percent more than the monthly average.
Recently, the heavy rain also boosted numbers, pushing calls up by
15 percent in December, compared to the same month a year
ago.
ComfortDelGro says it will continue to fine-tune its booking system
and find ways to cater to more calls, especially when demand surges
during wet weather.
Current booking fees are S$2.50 during off-peak hours and S$4
during peak hours.
The number two company, SMRT Taxis, has also reported 30 percent
more bookings last year from 2005.
Peak hours for bookings are from 7am to 9.30am and 5pm to 11pm on
weekdays, while weekends and public holidays are classified as
off-peak. - CNA/so
