M1 partners GrabTaxi to offer carrier billing

SINGAPORE - M1 Limited (M1) today announced Singapore's first ever carrier billing service for taxi drivers.

GrabTaxi connects passengers quickly to available taxi drivers in the vicinity through its GPS-enabled smartphone app. Drivers pay GrabTaxi a small fee for bookings made through its app.

Since GrabTaxi's launch in October 2013, it has become the second largest taxi network in Singapore, and has enabled many taxi drivers to enjoy increased earnings of over 30 per cent, according to a statement from M1.

The app is getting more popular with taxi drivers, according to 15 cabbies The Sunday Times spoke to, because of the perks it offers cabbies. For the week of March 31 to April 6, those who completed at least 60 bookings got a bonus of $488. From April 7 to 13, the bonus was $188 for 40 jobs or more. The bonus varies week to week. 

M1's carrier billing service, available immediately, will allow taxi drivers to pay GrabTaxi through their M1 bill, instead of having to make a trip to GrabTaxi's office.

Taxi drivers will also enjoy a 20 per cent bonus for each $10, $30, or $50 top up.

"Time is money, and we are pleased to work with GrabTaxi to allow Singapore's hardworking and tech-savvy taxi drivers to top up their GrabTaxi credits more conveniently," said Mr P. Subramaniam, Chief Marketing Officer, M1.

"Our focus has always been to ensure our users have the best possible experience when using GrabTaxi. This goes beyond helping passengers get rides as fast as possible and drivers to increase their incomes, but also extends to making the entire aspect as simple as possible for everyone," said Mr Lim Kell Jay, General Manager, GrabTaxi.

To mark the first partnership of its kind in Singapore, the first 10,000 M1 customers who book a taxi ride with the GrabTaxi app will enjoy a $3 discount.

The offer is valid between now until May 31, 2014. The free GrabTaxi app for smartphones and tablets is available from Google Play (Android), App Store (iOS), Windows Phone, and the BlackBerry World app store. For information on redeeming this discount, please visit: www.m1.com.sg/grabtaxi.

candicec@sph.com.sg