Cab surcharge hikes to be permanent at Mandai attractions, Changi Airport

Location surcharge hikes introduced on a temporary basis in 2022 for taxi rides starting from Changi Airport, as well as attractions at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, will be made permanent from July 1.

- Kok Yufeng

This means that passengers taking a taxi from Changi Airport, Changi Airfreight Centre, Airport Police Station and the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore will continue to pay an additional $8 between 5pm and 11.59pm, or an additional $6 during other times.

For taxi rides starting from the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise, passengers will still pay a surcharge if they are picked up between 1pm and 11.59pm, and the cost has been increased to $5.

Currently, passengers pay a $3 surcharge for pickup at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve attractions during those hours.

The permanent fare hikes were announced on June 24 on Facebook by Singapore’s largest taxi operator, ComfortDelGro, and taxi firm Strides Premier. The other two taxi operators, Trans-Cab and Prime, announced the changes in notices published in the Business Times on June 24.

In response to queries, a ComfortDelGro spokesperson said: “Location surcharges for taxis are imposed by the organisations managing those areas, not set by the taxi companies.”

“These organisations have to inform the Land Transport Authority before implementing or making any changes to the surcharges,” the spokesperson added.

The Straits Times has contacted Changi Airport Group for comment.

Mandai Wildlife Group said the average waiting time for taxis at Mandai Wildlife Reserve remains at 30 to 60 minutes. This is even after the initial temporary $3 location surcharge was introduced in August 2022.