Cab-comparison app partners Comfort

UPCOMING ride-booking app Karhoo, which will launch in Singapore early next year, has announced a partnership with taxi giant ComfortDelGro.

"The deal represents the largest single taxi service provider to sign with Karhoo to date," the British company said yesterday.

ComfortDelGro has a fleet of over 17,000 taxis, accounting for close to 60 per cent of the market. As of September, its Comfort brand boasts 12,673 taxis, while CityCab has 4,353.

Karhoo is a comparison app that will allow commuters to pick a cab or a private-hire car across companies, based on criteria such as cost, time of arrival and type of vehicle.

Unlike apps such as GrabTaxi and Uber, Karhoo works with cab companies rather than individual drivers, allowing the company to integrate hundreds of vehicles in one go on to its platform.

Karhoo founder and chief executive Daniel Ishag, 41, said the app will "level the playing field" for all.

"For the first time, Karhoo allows passengers to compare all available suppliers and select their ride on the criterion they care about, be it price, local knowledge, quality, punctuality, vehicle type or brand of supplier," said the British entrepreneur.

ComfortDelGro Taxis chief executive Yang Ban Seng said: "We are delighted to partner with Karhoo and welcome the opportunity this offers our 34,000 drivers."

Since it started about 10 months ago, Karhoo has raised US$250 million (S$356 million). Besides Singapore, Karhoo plans to launch in New York and London.

adrianl@sph.com.sg

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