{"id":9213,"date":"2019-05-02T09:59:48","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T01:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/?p=9213"},"modified":"2019-05-03T15:50:54","modified_gmt":"2019-05-03T07:50:54","slug":"grab-surge-got-you-down-buckle-up-for-this-alternative-joyride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/everyday-living\/grab-surge-got-you-down-buckle-up-for-this-alternative-joyride\/","title":{"rendered":"Grab surge got you down? Buckle up for this alternative joyride."},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-4-percent&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#fefeff&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;10px&#8221; top_margin=&#8221;-20%&#8221; width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221;]<div class=\"divider-wrap\"><div style=\"margin-top: 5px; width: 100px; height: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\" data-width=\"100\" data-animate=\"yes\" data-animation-delay=\"\" data-color=\"accent-color\" class=\"divider-small-border\"><\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Grab surge got you down? Buckle up for this alternative joyride.<br \/>\n&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1556701654091{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Sick of the exorbitant prices that ride-hailing apps offer? You\u2019re not alone. Rain or shine, sometimes it just doesn&#8217;t make sense paying so much for such a short trip. Let\u2019s explore some two-wheeler options that might just help you out.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1556869829384{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#grab-gojek-prices\"><b>Grab and Gojek prices are going up<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#explore-scooters\"><strong>Explore scooters<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#what-is-the-pricing\"><strong>What is the pricing like?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#remember-the-rules\"><strong>Remember to adhere to rules<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b id=\"grab-gojek-prices\">Grab and Gojek prices are going up.<\/b>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap \" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-border-radius=\"none\"><div class=\"inner\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-shadow-direction=\"middle\" class=\"img-with-animation \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"900\" width=\"1600\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/dan-gold-176712-unsplash-e1556704535966.jpg\"  alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1556869791477{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They were supposed to bring power back to the people. They lured us in with attractive promos and became a staple in our lives with the ease of a button. However, the surge prices offered by ride-hailing services such as Grab and Gojek have now rendered the people powerless.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Look, I can understand reasonable peak hour surge pricing. But when it costs $20 from Plaza Singapura to Ion Orchard, I\u2019ve got to put my foot down!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Such as the wave of these apps took the island by storm, let\u2019s ride a different wave of change and dive into options that make more sense for our wallets. Forget the everpresent Grab, the hopeful Gojek and the nonexistent Tada. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Start looking behind bus stops and for yellow or green boxes on footpaths. Embrace the E-scooter!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b id=\"explore-scooters\">Explore scooters<\/b>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap \" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-border-radius=\"none\"><div class=\"inner\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-shadow-direction=\"middle\" class=\"img-with-animation \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1065\" width=\"1600\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/FamilyE-ScooterHelixBridge_3-e1556704580442.jpg\"  alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1556761885608{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019ve all seen them zooming by. Sometimes with loud music and flashing lights, other times with a smartly clad individual riding it. So why should you consider this mode of transportation?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No thanks Grab<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most importantly, here\u2019s how you beat the surge pricing. For those thinking, \u2018You don&#8217;t expect me to scoot my way to Jurong from Orchard Road, now do you?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No, I don&#8217;t. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firstly, let\u2019s break it down. Most of the time we book a car because we are lazy. Sure, sometimes you need to get somewhere fast or you need to carry a lot of items. But most of the time, let\u2019s face it, we\u2019re just plain lazy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now, where I do expect you to scoot to is anywhere outside the CBD area. Here is where the bus stops thin out and the MRT station crowd becomes bearable. Also, once you are out of the CBD area, the CBD surcharge won&#8217;t apply. You\u2019ll be more inclined to hail a standard taxi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/metroresidences.com\/sg\/serviced-apartments?location=2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C26%2C27%2C62%2C78%2C79%2C83%2C84%2C92%2C100%2C101%2C104%2C106%2C147%2C148%2C149%2C202\">Looking for serviced apartments in Singapore near Jurong? Check these options out!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Short Trips<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This one is again, for you lazy folks (that&#8217;s 90% of those reading this piece). If you are going to run errands during lunchtime and your destination is not that far, you can scoot there. I know, getting a car might only cost $8. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, it\u2019s highly likely that you won&#8217;t be the only one running errands during lunch in a Grab. More people equals higher surge pricing. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just hop on one of those e-scooters, stay off your phone, destress and feel the cool CBD breeze in your hair. You\u2019ll get your errands done and you would have saved some money.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap \" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-border-radius=\"none\"><div class=\"inner\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-shadow-direction=\"middle\" class=\"img-with-animation \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"\"  alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1556761557942{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;](<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techinasia.com\/tag\/scooter-sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>photo credit:<\/em> techinasia.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They are popping up everywhere<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just like pimples on the face of a teenager, E-scooters are sprouting up everywhere! As of 10 Feb 2019, there were already about 10 e-scooter operators who have confirmed interest in the sharing transport license, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/news\/singapore\/10-shared-e-scooter-operators-interest-licence-deadline-11227198\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Channel News Asia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With so many operator options to choose from, you will soon find one nearby your serviced residences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reduce your carbon footprint<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Close to all the scooters found in Singapore are battery powered. Stay off the petrol and diesel run of cars on the road and go green by getting on an e-scooter. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Singapore is known for our overpopulated roads. While car sharing does help reduce consumption rates, get off the fuel race completely and choose this more sustainable option. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b id=\"what-is-the-pricing\">How does it work and what the pricing like?<\/b>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap \" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-border-radius=\"none\"><div class=\"inner\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-shadow-direction=\"middle\" class=\"img-with-animation \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"850\" width=\"1200\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/neuron_neuronmobility.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/neuron_neuronmobility.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/neuron_neuronmobility-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/neuron_neuronmobility-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/neuron_neuronmobility-1024x725.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1556761492735{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;](<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asiaone.com\/sites\/default\/files\/original_images\/Jun2017\/neuron_neuronmobility.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">photo credit: AsiaOne<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/sg\/wheels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>GrabWheels<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Download the GrabWheels app from the App Store or Google Play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scan to unlock the grab e-scooter<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">$0.50 per 30mins (this is the current promotional price)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ridebeam.com\/how-to-beam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Beam<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Download the Beam app from the App Store or Google Play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scan to unlock the Beam e-scooter at $1<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">$0.15 per 1min (this is the current promotional price)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.li.me\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Lime<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Download the Lime app from the App Store or Google Play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scan to unlock the Lime e-scooter at $1<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">$0.20 per 1min (this is the current promotional price)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telepod.co\/pricing-sg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Telepod<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Download the Telepod app from the App Store or Google Play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Telepod offers different tier pricing for scooter rentals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their most basic tier is at $0.15 per 1min.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b id=\"remember-the-rules\">Remember to follow the rules<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before you hop on your e-scooter and start carving the lanes, do realise that the Land Transport Authority of Singapore has laid out a series of rules and guidelines to adhere to. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do not ride on the roads<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do not ride on pedestrian-only footpaths<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Only ride on shared paths<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do not exceed 25km\/h on shared paths<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stop and look out<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d for vehicles at road crossings before continuing your journey<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Always stop to help accident victims when you are involved<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is not compulsory for e-scooter\/PMD riders to wear helmets. However, you should still consider doing so.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So if you stick to the rules and stay off the roads, you will find yourself enjoying a greener, cleaner and cheaper mode of transportation that will chase those peak hour blues away.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_widget_sidebar enable_sticky=&#8221;true&#8221; sidebar_id=&#8221;blog-sidebar&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-4-percent&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#fefeff&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;10px&#8221; top_margin=&#8221;-20%&#8221; width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Grab surge got you down? Buckle up for this alternative&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":9218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-everyday-living","category-explore","category-transportation"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9213"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9225,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9213\/revisions\/9225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}