Uber brings simplified limousine booking to Singapore

Getting hold of limousines in Singapore is about to get a whole lot simpler thanks to a new booking service called Uber.

Acting as a bridge between the passenger and local limo rental companies, the San Francisco-based company develops the apps central to the booking experience and takes a 20 per cent cut of the final fare. The service currently has around 100 Mercedes Benzes, Audis, and BMWs at its fingertips.

Bookings can be made instantly through Uber’s Android and iOS apps, and a mobile site. Users can see if there are currently any Uber cars nearby, and drop a pin indicating their preferred pickup point.

Uber promises a smooth and seamless experience with professional drivers, and indeed, you truly don’t have to do a single thing throughout the entire ride other than tell the driver your destination. You don’t even have to make any payment!

That’s because the company will already have asked for your credit card number when you sign up for an account. Subsequently, every trip you take will automatically be logged and the fare deducted without you lifting a finger.

This convenience doesn’t come cheap, though.

Each trip starts at S$7 and goes up by S$2.25 for every kilometre if the car is cruising over 18km/h. If the traffic is heavy and you’re crawling along slower than 18km/h, Uber will slowly sip S$0.85 per minute from your pockets.

Flat rates are available if you’re travelling to and from Changi Airport.

Most of us will probably not take Uber as a daily commute, but it should be well worth the price for those who prefer the simple and luxurious route.

And if I can quickly get a ride on Uber the next time all other taxis are overbooked in one of our famous thunderstorms, I’ll gladly pay up!