Singapore, 01 October 2007 | For
Immediate Release
Barely a year since it was introduced on board all
ComfortDelGro taxis, NETS has already become the
most popular mode of cashless payment on board ComfortDelGro
taxis. It is expected that a total of 1 million
NETS transactions will be done by end of this year.
Launched in November 2006, NETS is now averaging
about 150,000 transactions a month on ComfortDelGro
taxis. This means that one in two cashless transactions
made for taxi rides is paid using NETS. It is estimated
that ComfortDelGro taxi drivers will take home more
than $10 million in taxi fares from NETS payments
alone this year. This figure is expected to rise
further when all 15,000 ComfortDelGro taxis become
“NETS-enabled” by the end of this year.
Currently, 90% of our taxis accept NETS –
making us the only taxi operator in Singapore to
accept this cashless form of payment. Other cashless
payments accepted on board include major credit
cards, corporate cards and e-vouchers. A surcharge
of 30 cents applies for every NETS transaction.
Cabby Goh Kwang Seng, whose taxi was installed
with the NETS feature in May this year, has seen
a large jump in the number of customers opting to
pay by NETS. In August alone, he accepted 28 NETS
payments, 10 more than in May. He said: “Some
passengers are impressed that our cabs can accept
NETS and prefer to use it instead of cash. It’s
also convenient for me because I don’t have
to worry about small change or taking out cash.
Moreover, the money is credited directly into my
bank account within two working days.”
Said Mr Yang Ban Seng, ComfortDelGro Taxi Business
CEO: “We are happy to partner NETS to provide
this added convenience to our commuters. Also, this
cashless payment service will largely resolve the
“big-note” situation between our cabbies
and their passengers. Cabbies don’t have to
keep worrying about running of out small change
while passengers don’t have to scramble to
look around for an ATM.”
NETS CEO Ms Poh Mui Hoon said: “NETS has
always been about creating a smart and savvy solution
for cashless payments in Singapore. Our partnership
with ComfortDelGro is a great example of how together,
we make our users’ life great by enhancing
the payment experience for taxi passengers using
innovative technology.”
Since the introduction of NETS on board ComfortDelGro
taxis, taxi commuters have been using it to pay
their fares – regardless of how small the
amount is. To date, the smallest transaction conducted
on board our taxis is valued at $2.60 while the
highest is $78 for a Mercedes limousine trip.
Whatever the fare, it is the convenience of the
service which has won praise from commuters. Mr
Leong Jow Young, a 35-year-old IT project administrator,
said: “It’s easier than searching for
an ATM machine when I run out of cash.”
