SMRT Roads and Grab have announced a technology partnership aimed at streamlining SMRT's taxi partners operations while on the road.

An enhanced Grab Driver app will be launched only for SMRT's taxi partners from 1 October 2020. Replacing the Mobile Display Units in SMRT's taxis, the app will be rolled out fleetwide by the end of the year.

The app enables SMRT drivers to manage earnings and receive jobs from across SMRT's existing booking system, street hail and the Grab platform, all from one single app. The bookings will be assigned to SMRT drivers intelligently using Grab's allocation technology, which will help to improve their productivity.

With the app, drivers can start their taxi meter when they opt for street hail jobs, and control their rooftop signs when they have a passenger onboard.

SMRT passengers can also expect a shorter waiting time for their drivers once their SMRT call bookings are successfully allocated with the updated mapping tools and ride optimisation features the Grab platform offers.

The enhanced Grab driver app was jointly developed by SMRT and Grab, leveraging Grab's deep technology expertise and SMRT's experience as one of the leading taxi operators in Singapore. In addition, Grab has built a web-based fleet operations platform to streamline SMRT's operational needs.

SMRT drivers will also benefit from existing tech features on the Grab app. These include safety features such as access to the Safety Centre and Driver Telematics, as well as features built to help driver-partners optimise their earnings.

The Grab in-app navigation tool provides real-time updates on road conditions, while the demand heatmap will point drivers to areas with high passenger demand. Drivers will also be able to access self-improvement opportunities via GrabAcademy modules.

A dedicated web portal will enable SMRT operations officers to register new vehicles in the fleet, or suspend errant drivers and customers quickly if required. They will also be able track bookings in real time, and send in-app notifications to drivers if there are any important announcements. In the event of emergency situations, SMRT will also be alerted through the driver's panic button, and they will be able to identify the vehicle location on the web portal.

SMRT and Grab will be conducting training for all SMRT's taxi drivers, and both parties will continue to seek feedback from them to improve upon the app.