Gojek Launches Cheaper Short-Trip Rides in Singapore With New GoCar Nearby Service
SINGAPORE — Gojek Singapore has introduced a new ride option aimed at commuters making short journeys during quieter daytime hours, offering eligible trips of less than 5km at fares capped at S$9.90.
Called GoCar Nearby, the new service is designed to make short-distance private-hire rides more affordable while helping Gojek generate additional demand during periods when ride bookings are typically lower.
The service is initially available across selected parts of eastern and north-eastern Singapore, with Gojek saying it may expand the coverage based on feedback from riders and driver-partners.
How GoCar Nearby works
GoCar Nearby automatically appears as an option in the Gojek app when a booking meets the service's requirements.
The trip must be:
- Less than 5km
- Booked during off-peak daytime hours
- Within eligible locations in eastern or north-eastern Singapore
For qualifying rides, the fare is capped at S$9.90. The cap does not include certain additional charges, such as waiting fees, cancellation fees, ERP charges and child-seat surcharges.
Gojek's own announcement describes GoCar Nearby as a service designed to offer discounted fares for short trips during off-peak periods.
Where is GoCar Nearby available?
The initial rollout covers a wide stretch of eastern and north-eastern Singapore.
Eligible areas include Pasir Ris, Tampines, Changi Business Park, Bedok, Bedok Reservoir, Kaki Bukit, Siglap, Bayshore, Paya Lebar, Geylang, MacPherson and Eunos.
The service also covers Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, Serangoon, Potong Pasir and Lorong Chuan, according to Singapore Business Review.
The limited launch allows Gojek to test how customers respond to capped fares before potentially expanding the service to other parts of the island.
The catch: the S$9.90 cap is not all-inclusive
While the headline fare may make short trips more predictable, passengers should not assume every GoCar Nearby ride will cost exactly S$9.90 or less after all charges.
Gojek says the fare cap excludes standard platform-related add-ons and certain trip-specific charges.
These include waiting fees, cancellation fees, ERP charges and child-seat surcharges.
That means the final amount shown to a passenger can depend on the circumstances of the journey.
Still, for eligible short rides, the capped base fare could provide an alternative to conventional on-demand pricing, particularly during periods when demand is lower.
Drivers are also part of the strategy
The new service is not aimed only at passengers.
Gojek said GoCar Nearby is intended to generate additional demand during quieter daytime periods, potentially giving driver-partners more opportunities to receive bookings when demand is softer.
Importantly, the company said driver-partner earnings for GoCar Nearby trips remain based on the original fare, rather than the discounted amount presented to customers.
That structure allows Gojek to offer lower prices to riders while maintaining the underlying driver payout arrangement.
Riders can still earn yuu Points
GoCar Nearby trips also remain eligible for yuu Points, allowing customers to continue accumulating rewards through the programme.
Existing yuu Points can also be used to offset eligible fares, giving frequent Gojek users another potential saving on their rides.
The rewards component could make the new service particularly attractive to commuters who regularly use Gojek for short-distance journeys.
Why Gojek is targeting short trips
Short rides can be challenging for ride-hailing platforms because the fare may not always provide enough incentive for drivers relative to the time required to reach a passenger and complete the journey.
At the same time, passengers making short trips can be particularly sensitive to price because alternatives such as public transport, walking or cycling may be available.
GoCar Nearby attempts to address both sides of that equation.
For riders, the service offers a clearer price ceiling. For Gojek, it creates a mechanism for stimulating bookings during less busy periods.
The approach also fits into Gojek's broader strategy of developing different service types for different travel needs. The company has previously introduced products such as GoCar Flash, which matches riders with nearby driver-partners and offers higher fares for drivers.
What happens next?
Gojek says it will use feedback from both commuters and driver-partners to refine GoCar Nearby during its initial phase.
If the model proves successful, coverage could eventually be expanded to other parts of Singapore.
For now, the launch gives Singapore commuters another option for short daytime journeys — particularly those travelling within the eastern and north-eastern parts of the island.
The bigger test will be whether a capped-fare model can attract enough passengers while still providing a sustainable proposition for driver-partners.
If it does, GoCar Nearby could become more than just a promotional fare. It could signal a broader shift toward more targeted pricing for short, off-peak ride-hailing trips in Singapore.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D