New surcharge hours from Oct 1 aim to boost taxi supply at key terminal

Passengers catching a taxi from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre will soon face extended surcharge hours, as major operators revise their fare structure.

Extended Surcharge Hours

From October 1, 2025, a $5 surcharge will apply to all taxi rides starting from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre between 7am and 4.59pm daily, including public holidays. This significantly extends the previous surcharge window, which only ran from 7am to 10.59am.

Changes to Existing Fares

At times outside the extended window, the surcharge will remain at $3. Both ComfortDelGro and Strides Premier, two of Singapore’s largest taxi operators, confirmed the move in official Facebook posts on September 24.

Reasons Behind the Adjustment

According to ComfortDelGro, the revised surcharge hours are designed to incentivise drivers to serve the cruise centre, a location often underserved by taxis during peak passenger disembarkations. The company highlighted that such surcharges help ensure a reliable supply of cabs in areas where demand fluctuates sharply.

Consultation and Regulation

ComfortDelGro also noted that all surcharge decisions involve consultation with premises owners and are lodged with both the Public Transport Council (PTC) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), ensuring regulatory oversight and compliance.

Impact on Travellers

For passengers, the change means a higher cost of travel during extended daytime hours, especially for tourists arriving on cruise ships. While the surcharge is modest compared to overall taxi fares, frequent travellers may feel the additional costs, particularly for longer trips from the terminal.

Broader Implications

The move reflects Singapore’s continued efforts to balance transport supply and demand in high-traffic areas. For Indonesians and other regional visitors arriving via cruise ships, the adjustment underscores the need to budget for higher ground transport costs when traveling from Singapore’s ports.

The extension of surcharge hours at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre marks a strategic move to ensure steady taxi availability in one of Singapore’s busiest maritime gateways. While it may raise costs for passengers, the change highlights how transport policies adapt to maintain service quality for both locals and international travellers.

Sources: Straits Times (2025) , AsiaOne (2025)

Keywords: Marina Bay Cruise Centre, ComfortDelGro, Taxi Surcharge, Singapore Taxi Fares, Strides Premier, Public Transport