Flagdown Fare Breakdown for Singapore Taxis 2024

A detailed breakdown of flagdown fares for Singapore taxis, including metered rates, surcharges, and booking fees across all major operators for 2024.

Singapore's taxi system is one of the most regulated and transparent in the world. Every ride starts with a flagdown fare, a fixed amount that appears on the meter the moment the taxi is hired. This fee varies by vehicle type, time of day, and location. Understanding the flagdown fare breakdown helps passengers avoid surprises and make informed choices between operators, booking methods, and ride types.

This article covers the current flagdown rates for all major taxi companies in Singapore: ComfortDelGro, SMRT, Premier Taxis, Trans-Cab, and Prime. It explains how metered fares build on the flagdown, what surcharges apply, and how booking fees can change the total cost. For a broader overview of the taxi landscape, see The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore.

What Is a Flagdown Fare?

The flagdown fare is the base charge that appears on the taxi meter when a passenger starts a trip. It covers the first kilometre of travel (or first 10 minutes of waiting time for some operators) and includes a fixed amount for the taxi's availability. After the flagdown, the meter ticks based on distance travelled and time spent in slow traffic.

All taxi operators in Singapore set their flagdown fares within guidelines from the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The LTA reviews these fares periodically and allows adjustments based on operating costs, inflation, and public feedback. As of 2024, the standard flagdown fare for a regular taxi is SGD 3.90 for ComfortDelGro, SMRT, and Premier Taxis. Trans-Cab and Prime charge slightly different rates, as detailed below.

Flagdown Fares by Operator

ComfortDelGro

ComfortDelGro is the largest taxi operator in Singapore, with a fleet of over 10,000 vehicles. Its standard flagdown fare for a regular taxi (e.g., Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Prius) is SGD 3.90. For larger vehicles such as the London Taxi (TX4) or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the flagdown is SGD 3.90 as well, but the per-kilometre rate is higher. The company also operates a premium service called ComfortDelGro Limousine, which uses a separate fare structure.

For wheelchair-accessible taxis (WAV), the flagdown fare is the same SGD 3.90, but these vehicles are equipped with ramps and securement systems. No additional surcharge applies for wheelchair users, though booking fees may differ.

SMRT Taxis

SMRT, now part of the Strides Transportation group, operates about 3,000 taxis. Its standard flagdown fare is also SGD 3.90 for regular cabs. SMRT offers a range of vehicle types including the Toyota Corolla Axio, Hyundai i40, and the Kia Optima. The flagdown for its premium service, SMRT Limousine, is SGD 3.90 as well, but the metered rates are higher.

SMRT also runs a fleet of electric taxis, such as the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. These have the same flagdown as regular cabs, but the per-kilometre rate is slightly lower to reflect lower fuel costs. The LTA approved this differential to encourage adoption of cleaner vehicles.

Premier Taxis

Premier Taxis is a smaller operator with about 1,000 vehicles. Its standard flagdown fare is SGD 3.90, matching the market norm. Premier is known for its fleet of Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class sedans, which offer a more spacious and comfortable ride. For these premium vehicles, the flagdown remains SGD 3.90, but the per-kilometre rate is higher, typically SGD 0.33 per 400 metres compared to SGD 0.25 for standard taxis.

Premier also operates a fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis (WAV) with the same flagdown. For more details on booking options, refer to The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore.

Trans-Cab

Trans-Cab is the third largest operator with about 3,500 taxis. Its standard flagdown fare is SGD 3.80, ten cents lower than the major operators. This lower flagdown applies to all regular taxis in its fleet, which includes Toyota Prius, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Cerato models. The per-kilometre rate is also slightly lower, making Trans-Cab one of the more affordable options for short trips.

Trans-Cab does not operate a separate premium or limousine service. All its vehicles are standard sedans or MPVs. The flagdown for its WAV taxis is also SGD 3.80.

Prime Taxis

Prime Taxis is a smaller operator with about 1,500 vehicles. Its standard flagdown fare is SGD 3.80, matching Trans-Cab. Prime's fleet includes Toyota Prius, Hyundai i40, and Kia Optima models. The company focuses on reliability and has a strong presence in the eastern part of Singapore.

Prime also operates a small number of luxury vehicles under its Prime Limousine service, with a flagdown of SGD 3.90 and higher metered rates.

How the Meter Calculates the Fare

After the flagdown, the taxi meter calculates the fare based on two components: distance and time. The distance component applies when the taxi is moving at speeds above a certain threshold (usually 25.6 km/h). The time component applies when the taxi is stationary or moving slowly, such as in traffic jams or at traffic lights.

For ComfortDelGro, SMRT, and Premier, the metered rate after the first kilometre is as follows:

Distance rate: SGD 0.25 for every 400 metres (up to 10 km), then SGD 0.25 for every 350 metres (beyond 10 km).
Time rate: SGD 0.25 for every 45 seconds of waiting time (below 25.6 km/h) after the first 10 minutes free.

For Trans-Cab and Prime, the rates are slightly lower:

Distance rate: SGD 0.23 for every 400 metres (up to 10 km), then SGD 0.23 for every 350 metres (beyond 10 km).
Time rate: SGD 0.23 for every 45 seconds of waiting time after the first 10 minutes free.

For premium vehicles (e.g., Premier Mercedes-Benz E-Class, ComfortDelGro London Taxi, SMRT Limousine), the rates are higher:

Distance rate: SGD 0.33 for every 400 metres (up to 10 km), then SGD 0.33 for every 350 metres (beyond 10 km).
Time rate: SGD 0.33 for every 45 seconds of waiting time after the first 10 minutes free.

These rates are set by the LTA and updated periodically. The last revision was in 2023, when the flagdown was increased from SGD 3.70 to SGD 3.90 for most operators.

Surcharges That Add to the Flagdown

Several surcharges are added to the metered fare on top of the flagdown. These are applied automatically by the meter or added manually by the driver. The most common surcharges are:

Peak Period Surcharge

During morning and evening peak hours, an additional charge applies. For ComfortDelGro, SMRT, and Premier, the peak period surcharge is SGD 1.00 from 6:00 AM to 9:29 AM and from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, the surcharge is SGD 1.00 from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM. Trans-Cab and Prime charge SGD 0.50 for the same periods.

Midnight Surcharge

Between midnight and 5:59 AM, a midnight surcharge of 50% of the metered fare is added. This applies to all operators and is calculated after the flagdown and distance/time charges but before GST. For example, if the metered fare is SGD 10.00, the midnight surcharge adds SGD 5.00.

Location Based Surcharges

Certain locations attract a surcharge. These include:

Changi Airport: SGD 5.00 surcharge for trips starting from the airport (all operators). This applies to both metered and fixed-fare trips.
Singapore Expo: SGD 2.00 surcharge for trips starting from the Expo (all operators).
Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa, and other integrated resorts: SGD 3.00 surcharge for trips starting from these locations (all operators).
City Area (CBD): No base surcharge, but ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) charges may apply if the taxi passes through gantries. These are passed to the passenger.

ERP Charges

If the taxi passes through an ERP gantry during the trip, the charge is added to the fare. The amount varies by time and location, ranging from SGD 0.50 to SGD 6.00. The driver must declare the ERP charge on the meter, and it is displayed separately. Passengers can request a receipt showing ERP charges.

Public Holiday Surcharge

On public holidays, a surcharge of SGD 1.00 applies for trips taken between 6:00 AM and 11:59 PM (all operators). This is in addition to the peak period surcharge if applicable. For example, a trip on National Day at 8:00 PM would incur both the public holiday surcharge and the peak period surcharge.

Booking Fees

When you book a taxi through a phone call, app, or street hail, a booking fee may apply. These fees are separate from the flagdown and are added to the total fare. The fees vary by operator and booking method:

ComfortDelGro app (ComfortDelGro Zig): SGD 2.30 for immediate booking, SGD 3.30 for advance booking (more than 30 minutes ahead).
SMRT app (Taxi@SMRT): SGD 2.30 for immediate booking, SGD 3.30 for advance booking.
Premier Taxis app: SGD 2.50 for immediate booking, SGD 3.50 for advance booking.
Trans-Cab app: SGD 2.00 for immediate booking, SGD 3.00 for advance booking.
Prime Taxis app: SGD 2.00 for immediate booking, SGD 3.00 for advance booking.
Street hail: No booking fee, but availability depends on location and time.

Some operators waive booking fees for certain groups, such as seniors (ComfortDelGro waives fees for passengers aged 60 and above with a PAssion Silver card) or for trips to hospitals. Check with the operator for current promotions.

Flagdown Fare for Premium and Special Vehicles

While the standard flagdown is SGD 3.90 for most operators, premium vehicles have different metered rates. The flagdown itself remains the same, but the per-kilometre charge is higher. For example:

ComfortDelGro Limousine (Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series): Flagdown SGD 3.90, distance rate SGD 0.33 per 400 metres, time rate SGD 0.33 per 45 seconds.
SMRT Limousine (Mercedes-Benz E-Class): Flagdown SGD 3.90, distance rate SGD 0.33 per 400 metres, time rate SGD 0.33 per 45 seconds.
Premier Taxis Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Flagdown SGD 3.90, distance rate SGD 0.38 per 400 metres, time rate SGD 0.38 per 45 seconds.
London Taxi (TX4) by ComfortDelGro: Flagdown SGD 3.90, distance rate SGD 0.33 per 400 metres, time rate SGD 0.33 per 45 seconds. This vehicle is wheelchair accessible and has a turning circle of 7.6 metres.

Electric taxis (e.g., Hyundai Ioniq Electric, BYD e6) have a slightly lower distance rate: SGD 0.23 per 400 metres for ComfortDelGro and SMRT, and SGD 0.21 per 400 metres for Trans-Cab. This discount is intended to encourage green transport.

Sample Fare Calculations

To illustrate how the flagdown and subsequent charges add up, here are three sample trips.

Short Trip: Orchard Road to Bugis (3 km, no surcharges)

Flagdown: SGD 3.90
Distance charge: 2 km after first km = 5 blocks of 400 metres at SGD 0.25 = SGD 1.25
No waiting time
Total metered fare: SGD 5.15
No surcharges (off peak, no ERP, no booking fee)
Final fare (before GST): SGD 5.15

Medium Trip: Changi Airport to City Hall (20 km, peak hour, with airport surcharge)

Flagdown: SGD 3.90
Distance charge: first 9 km (22.5 blocks of 400 metres at SGD 0.25 = SGD 5.63) plus next 10 km (28.6 blocks of 350 metres at SGD 0.25 = SGD 7.14) = SGD 12.77
Waiting time: 5 minutes (300 seconds) at SGD 0.25 per 45 seconds = SGD 1.67
Airport surcharge: SGD 5.00
Peak period surcharge (6:00 PM): SGD 1.00
ERP: SGD 2.00 (assume one gantry)
Total metered fare: SGD 3.90 + 12.77 + 1.67 + 5.00 + 1.00 + 2.00 = SGD 26.34
GST (9%): SGD 2.37
Final fare: SGD 28.71

Late Night Trip: Clarke Quay to Tampines (15 km, midnight, no booking fee)

Flagdown: SGD 3.90
Distance charge: first 9 km (22.5 blocks of 400 metres at SGD 0.25 = SGD 5.63) plus next 5 km (14.3 blocks of 350 metres at SGD 0.25 = SGD 3.57) = SGD 9.20
Waiting time: 3 minutes (180 seconds) at SGD 0.25 per 45 seconds = SGD 1.00
Midnight surcharge (50% of metered fare): 50% of (3.90 + 9.20 + 1.00) = 50% of SGD 14.10 = SGD 7.05
Total before GST: SGD 14.10 + 7.05 = SGD 21.15
GST (9%): SGD 1.90
Final fare: SGD 23.05

How to Avoid Hidden Costs

Flagdown fares are transparent, but surcharges can add up quickly. Here are practical tips to keep costs down:

Avoid peak hours and midnight: If your schedule is flexible, travel between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays to avoid peak surcharges. Midnight trips incur a 50% surcharge, so consider ride hailing alternatives that may offer fixed fares.
Use street hail instead of booking: Hailing a taxi on the street or at a taxi stand avoids the booking fee. However, during peak hours, finding an empty taxi can be difficult. In the city centre, taxi stands are common at major malls and MRT stations.
Compare operators: Trans-Cab and Prime have lower flagdown and distance rates. For short trips under 5 km, the savings can be SGD 0.50 to SGD 1.00. For longer trips, the difference is smaller due to the midnight surcharge and other fees.
Use fixed fare options: Some operators offer fixed fare trips for certain routes, such as Changi Airport to the city. For example, ComfortDelGro's fixed fare from Changi Airport to the CBD is SGD 25.00 (excluding ERP and surcharges). Compare this with the metered fare to see which is cheaper. For more details, see The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore.
Share the ride: Taxi sharing is allowed if all passengers agree. The flagdown is paid once, and the metered fare is split. However, the driver may charge a surcharge for additional stops.

Flagdown Fare vs. Ride Hailing

Ride hailing services like Grab, Gojek, and Tada use a different pricing model. Instead of a flagdown, they charge a base fare plus a per-kilometre and per-minute rate, often with dynamic pricing (surge pricing) during high demand. For short trips, ride hailing can be cheaper than taxis because the base fare is lower (e.g., Grab's base fare is SGD 3.50 for GrabCar). For longer trips, taxis can be cheaper because metered fares are capped by regulation, while ride hailing fares can surge 2x to 3x during peak periods.

Another difference is that ride hailing fares are fixed at the time of booking, while taxi fares are metered and can vary with traffic. If you are travelling during a period of heavy traffic (e.g., evening peak), a taxi may end up costing more due to waiting time charges. Conversely, if traffic is light, a taxi may be cheaper.

For a detailed comparison of costs across all services, refer to The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore.

Future Changes to Flagdown Fares

The LTA reviews taxi fares every one to two years. In 2023, the flagdown was raised from SGD 3.70 to SGD 3.90, and the distance rate was adjusted. The next review is expected in 2025. Factors that may influence future changes include:

Inflation: Operating costs (fuel, maintenance, insurance) have risen. The Consumer Price Index for transport increased by 5.2% in 2023.
Competition from ride hailing: To remain competitive, taxi operators may push for lower flagdowns or more flexible pricing. However, the LTA's priority is ensuring driver income stability.
Electric vehicle adoption: As more electric taxis enter the fleet, the LTA may adjust the metered rates to reflect lower fuel costs. Currently, electric taxis have a lower distance rate, but the flagdown remains the same.
Public feedback: The LTA conducts public consultations before fare changes. In the 2023 review, many passengers requested a lower flagdown for short trips, but the LTA decided to keep the flagdown uniform to simplify the system.

Conclusion

The flagdown fare is the starting point for every taxi ride in Singapore. At SGD 3.90 for most operators (SGD 3.80 for Trans-Cab and Prime), it covers the first kilometre and the driver's availability. After that, distance and time charges apply, along with various surcharges for peak hours, midnight, airport trips, and booking fees. By understanding how these charges accumulate, passengers can estimate fares accurately and choose the most cost-effective option for their journey.

For the latest updates on fares and promotions, always check the official app or website of your preferred operator. And for a comprehensive overview of all transport options in Singapore, read The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore.

The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore
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Airport Taxi Fares and Surcharges in Singapore
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