The weekday grind is real. For gig workers rushing between clients, professionals attending back-to-back meetings, and small business owners delivering products, a reliable mode of transport is more than just a convenience — it's a necessity. It’s important to have a solution that lets you stay productive and in control of your schedule without the high costs and unpredictability that often come with car ownership or ride-hailing services.
In this article, I’ll take you through how a GetGo car can be your secret weapon for a more efficient and affordable weekday.
GetGo vs. Ride-hailing: Which is worth your money and time?
Let’s compare a few common weekday scenarios with the average cost of booking a ride-hailing service in Singapore. For our calculations, we'll use an estimated average of around $15 for a typical 10km trip on a weekday.
Scenario 1: A full day of client meetings, errands, and a gym session
Imagine you're a property agent with a packed schedule. Your day looks like this:
- 9am: Pick up a client from their home in Jurong East and drive them to a show flat in Queenstown.
- 11am: Drive the client back to their home in Jurong East and drop them off.
- 12pm: Head to a business lunch in the CBD area.
- 2pm: Personal gym time in the CBD.
- 3:30pm: Go for another client meeting in a show flat in Woodlands.
- 5:30pm: Head back home in Kallang, just in time for family dinner.
With GetGo, you could book a car for the entire day. An 8-hour booking for a Standard car would cost you approximately $60 in time charge, plus an average of $0.39 per km for distance. Let's say you cover around 80km in total for your various trips. That brings your total to about $91.20.
Now, let's look at the ride-hailing option. Each of those 5 trips would cost an average of $15, bringing your total to at least $75. But this doesn't account for surge pricing during peak hours, which could easily double the cost of each trip. A single surge-priced trip could cost you up to $30. With a few unexpected surges, your total expenditure could easily exceed $100. And what about the time between meetings? You'd be paying for 5 separate trips, not the entire block of time you're using it.
Scenario 2: The small business owner's delivery day
You're a home-based baker with a big order to deliver to 3 different customers across the island. You need to transport cakes and other fragile goods.
- 10am: Deliver to a client in Punggol.
- 11:30am: Deliver to a client in Bedok.
- 1pm: Deliver to a client in Tiong Bahru.
Booking a GetGo van for a 4-hour period would cost you approximately $72 for time charges (based on Commercial rates), plus an average of $0.59 per km. Assuming you drive about 50km, your total comes to roughly $101.50. You have a dedicated vehicle with ample space to transport your fragile goods safely, and you can even stop for a quick lunch or an unscheduled errand without having to fork out a fortune.
With ride-hailing, you'd have to book 3 separate trips. The cost of each trip, especially with a larger vehicle to accommodate your goods, could be around $25 to $30, for a total of at least $75 to $90. This also doesn't account for the possibility of waiting for a driver or dealing with surge pricing. You would also have to worry about the driver’s willingness to transport bulky or fragile items, and you wouldn't have the flexibility to make an extra stop for a last-minute errand.
The verdict: GetGo may be a better match for your needs
The simple calculations show that GetGo offers a much more cost-efficient solution for your weekday needs. We believe in providing a simple and transparent pricing model where you only pay for the time and distance driven. Unlike ride-hailing, our charges are fixed, so you never have to worry about dynamic surge pricing. Plus, we've got you covered on the other stuff — refuelling or recharging, maintenance, and insurance are all included in your booking.
Going beyond prices: Other reasons why GetGo is the better choice
The pros of GetGo:
- Complete control: With a GetGo car, your schedule is your own. You control your route and can make as many stops as you need without a driver waiting on you.
- Flexibility: Easily extend your booking in 15-minute blocks via the app if your meetings or errands run longer than expected.
- Variety of vehicles: Choose the perfect car for your needs, from a compact sedan for a solo day out to a spacious van for deliveries or a comfortable MPV for caregiving duties.
- No obligation: You only pay for what you use, with no deposit or membership fees required.
The pros of ride-hailing:
- On-demand convenience: It’s great for a single, direct trip from point A to point B without any extra stops.
- Hands-off driving: You don’t need to worry about driving, parking, or navigation.
The cons of ride-hailing:
- Unpredictable costs: Dynamic surge pricing can make a quick trip surprisingly expensive.
- Limited space: Standard ride-hailing cars may not have the cargo space for larger items.
- Dependence: Your schedule is tied to a driver's availability and route, which can be an issue during busy periods.
Your weekday, your way
Ultimately, the choice is yours, but if your weekdays are filled with multiple stops, client meetings, deliveries, or family errands, GetGo offers a clear advantage. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about getting more done by staying in control of your time and your mode of transport.
