It follows Grab’s recognition of the NTUC-affiliated National Taxi Association to represent taxi drivers on its platform
[SINGAPORE] The minimum fare for Grab drivers will increase by S$0.50 for most types of Grab rides from Nov 24 onwards.
The announcement from the private-hire car company on Monday (Nov 17), followed shortly after Grab officially recognised the National Taxi Association (NTA), the union for taxi drivers, to represent drivers on its platform.
For JustGrab services, this would mean that the minimum fare for drivers will rise from S$5.30 to S$5.80. The increase excludes GrabHitch, nine-seater, 13-seater and hourly rental services.
The increase in fares is meant to boost drivers’ earnings on short-distance trips under 3 km, said Grab. It added that in short trips, operational costs such as fuel and vehicle rental form a higher proportion of the total fare.
Grab added that it is fully funding the fare increase, and there will be no impact on passenger prices.
Raven Lee, executive secretary of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), said the S$0.50 minimum fare increase is “a step forward and a welcome result” of the collaboration between Grab and the union. He noted this translates to an increase of up to 9 per cent on the minimum fare, and delivers “concrete earnings improvement for drivers”.
Grab’s formal recognition of NTA – which is affiliated to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) – on Monday means that NTA now represents taxi drivers on its platform under the Platform Workers Act.
This makes Grab the first platform operator in Singapore to formally recognise all three Platform Work Associations (PWA), which also include the NPHVA and the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA). Grab had previously recognised the NPHVA and NDCA in March 2025.
Under these formal agreements, NDCA, NPHVA and NTA can legally negotiate on behalf of workers on matters including fair earnings, welfare and work conditions.
Yeo Wan Ling, assistant secretary-general of NTUC and adviser to NDCA, NPHVA and NTA said: “Today’s signing marks a milestone, as all three associations representing platform workers are formally recognised by a single platform operator for the first time.”
“This strengthens our collective voice and allows us to work closely with Grab to address key challenges faced by our platform workers, including earnings, safety and working conditions,” she added.
These developments follow a pivotal move by the NTUC last week.
On Friday, NTUC delegates voted to amend the union’s constitution for the first time since 2017. With more than 90 per cent of delegates in favour, the amendment granted the three PWAs the status of full affiliates.
This change gives them voting rights for the NTUC Central Committee, formally bringing platform workers into the labour movement’s leadership.
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