Gojek launches taxi booking feature, starts ESG reporting ahead of expected listing
INDONESIAN ride-hailing startup Gojek on Tuesday announced the launch of GoTaxi, a dedicated feature which will enable commuters to book taxis in Singapore via the firm's eponymous app, starting from next week.
Through the GoTaxi option within the app, riders will be matched to taxis exclusively and pay a metered fare rather than a fixed one. An estimated fare range will be shown at the point of booking.
The new taxi booking feature will bring additional benefits to both riders and drivers alike, said Gojek in a press statement on Tuesday.
With an enlarged driver pool comprising more drivers, commuters will enjoy greater ride availability and improved wait times on the app platform. The complimentary personal accident insurance currently applied to all trips on GoCar extends to GoTaxi riders as well.
On the other hand, Gojek says GoTaxi will offer taxi drivers greater flexibility and increased earning opportunities, with the additional option of metered fare jobs on top of the fixed fare jobs they currently receive through GoCar.
Taxi drivers will also stand to enjoy the same driver benefits that Gojek private-hire drivers do - including fuel rebates, earnings protection insurance and subsidised health services, said the firm.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
"Building on (the launch of GoTaxi), we'll continue to explore the potential launch of new services and products that will make sense in the market," said Gojek Singapore's general manager Lien Choong Luen.
Last week, Gojek launched its first ESG (environmental, social and governance) report, through which it pledged to achieve "zero emissions, zero waste and zero barriers" by 2030.
The firm intends to structure its approach to these commitments around the areas of environmental sustainability to achieve "zero emissions" and "zero waste", as well as socio-economic progress and equality and inclusion to achieve "zero barriers".
In a media statement issued on April 30, Gojek said it is "already making significant strides" towards these targets, which will be reviewed and disclosed annually.
For months, Gojek has been rumoured to be close to finalising a proposed merger with Indonesian e-commerce platform Tokopedia, after its merger talks with Singapore-based rival Grab reportedly fell through in January this year.
Sources recently told The Business Times that the Gojek-Tokopedia merger is expected to finalise this year and seek a listing in 2022.
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Startups
Grab-led GXBank teams up with Zurich to offer affordable insurance
GoTo eyes private placement of 120.1 billion shares
SoftBank leads US$1 billion funding for UK self-driving startup Wayve
Singapore battles to revive struggling stock market
NSG BioLabs bags US$14.5 million funding; inks tie-ups with Merck, EnterpriseSG
Singapore’s Anywheel gets green light to expand fleet to 35,000