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Shutdown of Uber app in Singapore extended for a week to 15 April

A view of Uber and Grab offices in Singapore March 26, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su
A view of Uber and Grab offices in Singapore March 26, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su

The shutdown of the Uber app in Singapore has been extended for a week to 15 April, in the wake of unresolved issues in the Grab-Uber merger.

In a statement on Friday (6 April), the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) said that both ride-hailing firms had agreed on the new shutdown date after submitting written representations to CCCS on 4 April. This was in order to facilitate CCCS’s deliberation on these representations and the proposed alternative interim measures.

The measures “sought to preserve and/or restore competition and market conditions in relation to chauffeured personal point-to-point transport passenger and booking services in Singapore, while CCCS carries out its investigation into the transaction,” said CCCS.

Following the announcement on 26 March that Grab would be acquiring its rival Uber’s assets in Southeast Asia, CCCS noted that it had not been notified of the deal, which may have infringed competition rules. It began investigations into the deal the following day.

In response to queries from Yahoo News Singapore, a Grab spokesperson said the company had conducted “productive discussions” with CCCS. “We hope the CCCS will complete its review in an expeditious manner, so that we can continue competing with incumbent transport companies and with new entrants. We will continue working with the CCCS and other relevant agencies to ensure a pro-business and pro-innovation environment, so that Singapore consumers can benefit from new and improved services.”

She added, “In the meantime, the Grab app operates as per normal. The extension also gives Uber drivers more time to sign up on alternative platforms.”

Separately, the Grab app experienced its second outage in two days on Friday. This was reportedly resolved at 1230pm.

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