Starting Wednesday (January 2), ride-hailing users can go on Go-Jek rides everywhere in Singapore.
“Following our successful limited service area rollout, GOJEK is excited to announce that we will extend our ride-hailing services to the whole of Singapore with effect from Jan 2, 2019,” company authorities said.
“Our island-wide rollout is part of our continued beta phase, during which DBS/POSB Bank customers continue to enjoy priority access to the app.”
November last year, Go-Jek went to launch the beta version of its app granting access to users but in batches in order to stabilize people’s demand for a ride and the company’s service capabilities.
The service was made available only in areas such as Singapore’s Central Business District, Jurong East, Changi, Punggol, Ang Mo Kio and Sentosa.
Go-Jek has also intensified its efforts in recruiting drivers by launching a portal where they may pre-register and use the platform.
Chua Min Han, SG Go-Jek’s head of operations, said that the firm will be dishing out “competitive prices” to woo customers to its platform. This could done through promotion codes and vouchers, Chua further explained.
The newest entrant to Singapore’s ride-hailing market, Go-Jek is expected to go head on with rival Grab as it expands it service to all Singapore users and coverage goes nationwide.
In response to this new development, an officer from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that the government is in the process of assessing the regulatory structure for the point-to-point transportation segment to make sure that the ride-hailing market remains open and competitive.
“The new regulatory framework will prohibit driver exclusivity arrangements for all parties in the market, to ensure that drivers are free to choose which operators to drive for, reduce entry barriers for new operators, and facilitate more options for commuters,” the LTA officer emphasized.
The assessment is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.