Uber names Singapore as first ‘developed’ country to try cash payments
Uber has launched a trial for cash payments in Singapore, naming the country as the first ‘developed’ market to take on the service.
Uber operates in over 400 cities but just 40 take cash payments. The trial will not be all Singapore Uber users but a “large proportion of new and existing users”.
Despite the fact that a large majority of Singaporean people use cards to make payments, Uber said the trial was intended to create a “more accessible” service, with the aim of attracting new customers.
In an interview with Singapore newspaper The Straits Times, Uber Singapore general manager Warren Tseng, said: "Cash transactions make up over 30 per cent of all transactions in the island-state, so introducing cash payments as an alternative option for Singaporeans makes sense (for Uber)."
According to Uber, cash customers tend to take longer trips and having cash enables drivers to deal with everyday expenses like petrol easier.
The move also makes Uber able to compete with its biggest rival Grab, which offers cash as a payment option.