23 March 2020 – ComfortDelGro Taxi has a message for its drivers: We are looking at more ways to help you cope with falling demand but if you really can’t continue, join our sister company as a Bus Captain instead.
The Group is looking at not only extending rental rebates that it is currently giving to its 10,000-odd hirers, but also new ways to help them tide over the economic malaise brought on by COVID-19. Together with the Government, it has already committed a total of $28 million in rental rebates to its cabbies. Cabbies, like other workers who lose their jobs or suffer income losses, will also be able to apply for a one-time payment of $300 from the NTUC, it was announced last week.
Since the start of the outbreak in Singapore in late-January, taxi drivers have seen demand fall significantly as tourist arrivals dwindle and an increasing number of people work from home. Excluding rental rebates, the drop is as much as 42% in nett income and a smaller 22% with the rebates. With the situation expected to persist, many are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
