
SMRT takes Uber by the horns, launches private hire car business
It's in partnership with Grab.
One of Singapore’s largest taxi operators plans to give car booking apps like Uber a run for its money. SMRT has launched Strides, a private car hire business that offers limousine services, chauffeured services and car rental services.
Strides offers limousine services with luxury vehicles such as the Lexus ES Hybrid and Toyota Vellfire for its up-market and corporate clientele.
SMRT said that strides will also progressively roll out a fleet of 300 brand new Toyota Altis sedans, to provide chauffeured and car rental services, over the next six months.
In a blow to Uber, Strides also announced an exclusive one-year partnership with ride-booking platform GrabCar.
Through this deal, up to 200 drivers with Strides can sign on to take bookings exclusively via the Grab app, and enjoy additional performance-related cash incentives from GrabCar each month, starting from April 2016.
Through this partnership, Strides will be one of GrabCar’s preferred transport partners, providing GrabCar with more drivers and a brand new fleet to better fulfil an increasing demand.