Tada Taxi: The No‑Commission Taxi Revolution
Mass Vehicle Ledger Foundation (MVL) has just added a brand‑new “no‑commission” service to its ride‑hail arsenal: Tada Taxi. It works just like the current Tada app — except it’s only for taxis, not private‑hire on‑demand.
How it Works
- Pick a registered taxi driver from the MVL list.
- Book through a standalone app or via the existing Tada website.
- The fare is calculated with the traditional meter, no mystery surcharges.
- MVL will not slap any extra fee on the driver’s ticket price.
Kay Woo, MVL’s CEO, pitched the launch at their Ubi office yesterday: “The fare stays the same, but the driver’s wallet gets fat.” “No commission to our platform – all the money stays with the driver!” he rapped.
Why it Matters
Position yourself in the world of competitors who love to intoxicate drivers with bills. Grab, for instance, takes:
- 60¢ per ride on standard taxis.
- 3% on low‑fare (<$10) “JustGrab” pickups.
- 12% once the fare towers over $11.
With Tada Taxi, your drivers keep every cent.
Recruiting the Fleet
Today, ≈2,000 taxi drivers are on board, and MVL plans to hit 5,000 by year‑end. That number is critical to create the network effect that turns a kiss‑of‑the‑ticket into a comfortable ride.
Mr Woo pointed to commuters rushing for the day’s commute, thinking “thirty‑minute surge pricing is a nightmare.” Now they can choose a taxi without profiting from surges – a win‑win for money and smooth rides.
Legal Backing
MVL got its “Third Party Taxi Booking Service Provider licence” from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Nov 7. Since then, Herbert Chua, MVL’s GM, has invited fleets to sign up. While formal endorsements are pending, the coaches are all giddy about the prospect.
“Drivers register themselves; we simply verify them with the right company,” said Mr Woo.
What Lies Ahead
SWIFT forecasts a jump in taxi ridership over the next couple of months – “our impact on the industry is already plate‑sized,” claims Mr Woo, as he keeps his eyes on the “ride‑hail revolution” chart.
In short: If you’re a taxi driver, grab a Tada account and keep every cent. If you’re a commuter, start booking and say goodbye to surge‑pricing nightmares – and hello to a smoother, more affordable journey.
