53% of S’poreans want third-party apps to be governed

SINGAPORE — Slightly more than half of the 1,929 Singaporeans interviewed in a recent survey, or 53 per cent, want the authorities to legislate third-party apps, such as Uber and GrabCar.

The survey, conducted from Oct 8 to 11 by market research firm YouGov, also showed that 22 per cent of those interviewed do not want the Government to intervene in such apps, while 11 per cent want these apps to be banned from the market. The remaining 14 per cent say they do not know, or do not have an opinion.

The survey came not long after Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in an Oct 2 blog post that the Government will be reviewing private car-sharing apps to ensure a “level playing field” for taxi operators.

The use of third-party apps comes second with regard to engaging a taxi (42 per cent), with flagging down a taxi on the street coming in tops at 73 per cent.

According to the survey, the top three reasons for using third-party apps are: The ease of using them; such apps show the availability of drivers in the area; and it is easier/more convenient to get a ride using the apps compared to other ways.