Singaporeans can hail a cab with Hailo

Hailo, the world’s highest-rated taxi app, is operational in Singapore as of October 29. The app has 23,000 five-star reviews in the App Store and Google Play, which the company points out is more than any other taxi app. Hailo says a Hailo 'hail' is accepted around the world every two seconds from Hailo’s global network of over 60,000 drivers and more than 1.4 million passengers. 

Source: Hailo. From left: Benny Lim, Managing Director, SMRT Road Holdings; Ron Zeghibe, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Hailo Global, and Yu Hsiang Wong, General Manager, Hailo Singapore.

The Hailo passenger app helps people get a cab with just two taps on their smartphone. Mobile payments eliminate the need to carry cash, and trip receipts are sent instantly by email. Singapore’s taxi drivers can use the Hailo driver app to complete more jobs in less time, earning up to 30% more on every shift they work.

The news follows the announcement of Hailo’s partnership with SMRT Road Holdings. In agreeing to work together, Hailo and SMRT share a common vision to create an inclusive platform that provides equal access and benefits for all of Singapore’s taxi companies and their drivers. Hailo Singapore confirmed today that fleet operator Prime Taxi has joined with SMRT to support the new platform.

Hailo is available to passengers as a free download from the App Store and Google Play. New customers can enter promo code HELLOSING to receive a free S$10 credit on their first ride this week.

Taxi drivers can register via the Hailo website or email singapore.drivers@hailocab.com. The new Hailo Driver Office is located at 46 Kim Yan Road.

Launched in November 2011, Hailo is available in Asia in Osaka as well as Singapore. Hailo has carried over twenty million passengers and sees annualised sales of well over US$100 million.

Read the blog post about the partnership here.

Location surcharge for taxis in Singapore during Formula One Singapore Grand Prix

There is a S$5 location surcharge for SMRT taxis from 19 to 21 September 2014 at certain taxi stands and hotel driveways. Other cab companies may also impose surcharges during this period.

Details are as follows:

19 September 10.30pm to 12am

20 and 21 September 9.30pm to 12am

Taxi Stands:

1. Suntec Convention Centre at Raffles Boulevard

2. Suntec Tower 3 & 4 at Temasek Boulevard

3. Suntec Tower 5 at Temasek Boulevard

4. Millenia Walk at Raffles Boulevard

5. Millenia Tower at Temasek Avenue

6. Funan Digitalife Mall at North Bridge Road

7. Peninsula Plaza at Coleman Street

8. Hitachi Tower at Collyer Quay

9. Straits Trading Building at Battery Road

10. Temporary taxi stand at The Concourse along Nicoll Highway

Hotel Driveways:

1. Conrad Centennial S’pore

2. The Pan Pacific Hotel S’pore

3. Marina Mandarin

4. Mandarin Oriental S’pore

5. The Ritz Carlton Millenia S’pore

6. Marina Bay Sands Tower 1

7. Marina Bay Sands Tower 3

8. Marina Bay Sands Casino

9. Marina Bay Sands MICE

Limousine taxi services by SMRT are also available at the Taxi Counter located in front of Kallang Carpark F & G from 7pm to 2am with a location surcharge of S$15.

Trains and selected buses will have extended schedules over these days. Click here to find out more.

SMRT JV Hailo Singapore will allow taxi e-receipts

SMRT Road Holdings (SMRT Roads) has announced a joint venture agreement with London-based taxi mobile application developer Hailo Network Holdings (Hailo) to form Hailo Singapore. Under the agreement, a taxi booking application will be introduced to passengers and taxi drivers in Singapore.

Benny Lim, Managing Director of SMRT Roads, said that the new joint venture would provide an enhanced travel experience for passengers. "The integration of Hailo Network's expertise in taxi booking systems and SMRT Road's experience in taxi operations and fleet management offers a seamless taxi booking experience for our passengers and taxi drivers in Singapore," he said.

Ron Zeghibe, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Hailo Network, said “Hailo's mission is to make taxis work better for both passengers and drivers all across the world. Founded in 2011, Hailo is a global service with extensive operations in Europe, North America and Asia. By partnering with SMRT Roads, we are combining the best-in-class Hailo app with the resources needed to provide a new level of choice, quality and service for Singapore. Hailo is here for the long term and is excited to be working with SMRT, the leading multi-modal public transport operator in Singapore.”

Targeted for launch in Singapore in October, the Hailo taxi booking application offers passengers an easy way to organise taxi claims. Passengers can register their credit cards with Hailo and receive e-mail receipts at the end of their trips. This shortens the time required for the processing of payment for both the passenger and taxi driver. The app will also allow users to book and track their taxi’s arrival through a real-time display.