View source for GetGo (carsharing company)

{{Undisclosed paid|date=July 2024}}
{{unreliable sources|date=June 2024}}
{{Short description|GetGo is a carsharing company in Singapore.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = GetGo Technologies Pte Ltd
| logo = Get go logo+descriptor vertical blue.png
| logo_size =
| caption =
| image = (SGP-Singapore) GetGo Carsharing BYD e6 SNJ9239B 2024-07-29.jpg
| image_caption = A [[BYD e6]] with GetGo branding
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| area_served = [[Singapore]]
| key_people = Toh Ting Feng (Co-Founder, CEO), Johnson Lim (Co-Founder, CMO)
| industry = [[Car rental]]
| services = [[Carsharing]]
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|getgo.sg}}
| footnotes =
| foundation = {{start date and age|2021}}
| location = 55 Ayer Rajah Crescent, #07-12/26, Singapore 139949
}}
'''GetGo''' is a [[Carsharing|car sharing]] service based in [[Singapore]]. Launched in 2021, it is currently the largest carsharing company in Singapore in terms of fleet and location size.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Salim |first1=Zafirah |title=GetGo co-founder on how they became S'pore's largest car-sharing provider in just two years |url=https://vulcanpost.com/815712/getgo-largest-carsharing-provider-singapore-in-two-years/ |website=Vulcanpost |date=8 February 2023 |access-date=27 October 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}} As of February 2024, it has over 3,000 vehicles across 1,700 locations in Singapore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Christopher |title=400 shared cars near all North East, Downtown line MRT stops in SBS Transit-GetGo tie-up |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=26 February 2024 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/400-shared-cars-near-all-north-east-downtown-line-mrt-stops-in-sbs-transit-getgo-tie-up |publisher=The Strait Times |access-date=15 May 2024}}</ref>
GetGo has been criticised for its alleged [[Unfair business practices|predatory practices]] of high excess fees and overcharging users in the event of an accident or maintenance issues with the vehicle, including minor ones, as well as when the user was not responsible. This has led to growing calls to regulate the car sharing industry in general and increase [[consumer protection]]s.
== History ==
GetGo was incorporated in August 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=GETGO TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD. |url=https://www.sgpbusiness.com/company/Getgo-Technologies-Pte-Ltd |publisher=SGP Business |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2024}} and officially launched in February 2021. GetGo began with an initial fleet of 400 vehicles from Lion City Rentals, a car-rental company formerly owned by [[Uber]].<ref name="straitstimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/newly-launched-getgo-enters-singapore-car-sharing-market |title=Newly launched GetGo enters Singapore car-sharing market |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=25 February 2021 |publisher=Straitstimes |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref> It attracted 14,000 users in its pre-launched registration, and over 20,000 users within its first two months of operation.<ref name="vulcan2">{{cite web |url=https://vulcanpost.com/740492/getgo-car-sharing-singapore/ |title=S'pore Car-Sharing Firm GetGo Charges No Deposit, Membership Fees |publisher=Vulcan Post |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}
On February 23, 2023, it announced a fundraising round of S$20 million (US$14.9 million) from Treis, a family-backed investment group, for the purpose of growing its fleet of electric vehicles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahmad |first1=Samreen |date=23 Feb 2023 |title=SG's GetGo Carsharing raises $14.9m to expand electric fleet |url=https://www.techinasia.com/getgo-raises-149m-treis-expand-electric-fleet |access-date=8 November 2023 |work=Tech In Asia}}</ref>
As of November 2023, GetGo has a user count of over 300,000 users within Singapore. It also received acceptance into [[Enterprise Singapore|Enterprise Singapore's]] "Scale-Up" program to plan an overseas expansion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sivakumar |first1=Yoganeetha |title=GetGo unveils 14,000 sqft office at one-north – aims to double headcount, expand overseas |url=https://vulcanpost.com/844481/getgo-office-one-north-singapore/ |access-date=8 November 2023 |work=Vulcan Post |date=6 Nov 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}
In February 2024, GetGo announced a partnership with [[SBS Transit]], Singapore's largest public bus company, to place their vehicles near MRT and bus interchanges for last-mile connectivity.<ref>{{cite web |title=SBS Transit And GetGo Enter Into Strategic Partnership To Advance Sustainable Mobility In Singapore |url=https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/news/sbs-transit-and-getgo-enter-into-strategic-partnership-to-advance-sustainable-mobility-in-singapore |website=SBS Transit |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=June 2024}}
== Services ==
GetGo offers a "point A to A" car-sharing platform that prioritizes a greater ease of use. It is available to licensed Singapore residents over the age of 19 with at least a year of driving experience, or to licensed residents over the age of 25 without driving experience. The service is integrated with Singapore's SingPass MyInfo system for registration and verification.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Mary |title=GetGo's co-founder Toh Ting Feng makes driving more sustainable |url=https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/gallery/interviews/car-sharing-rental-singapore-getgo-founder-toh-ting-feng/ |publisher=The Peak Magazine |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}
The GetGo platform is currently mobile exclusive. Bookings, unlocking/locking of vehicles, and support are done through GetGo's Android and iOS apps. Vehicle locations are not centralized, but rather primarily located throughout Singapore's residential communities, such as in public housing carparks. With a point A to A model, vehicles must be returned to where they were originally picked up in.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gomez |first1=Joseph |title=GetGo Car Sharing Review (2023): Prices, Promos, and New EV Line-up |date=12 December 2023 |url=https://blog.moneysmart.sg/transportation/getgo-car-sharing-review-prices-promo-fuel-ioniq-5/ |publisher=Money Smart |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}
Unlike traditional car rental or carsharing pricing models, GetGo does not charge any security deposits or membership fees. Their pricing is based on booking duration, vehicle selection, and timing of booking. Costs for refueling/recharging are covered in each booking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koh |first1=Joel |title=Car Sharing in Singapore 2023 Guide: Which Car Sharing is Best in Singapore? |url=https://blog.seedly.sg/car-sharing-singapore-grab-taxi/ |website=Seedly |date=22 April 2023 |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}
== Fleet ==
GetGo offers a combination of petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles within its fleet. It is currently the largest carsharing fleet in Singapore, with approximately 3000 vehicles across 1600 locations. The company has a goal of 10,000 electrical vehicles within its fleet by 2030.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sivakumar |first1=Yoganeetha |title=GetGo receives S$20M investment to grow electric fleet, aims to have 10,000 greener vehicles by 2030 |url=https://vulcanpost.com/817157/getgo-receives-s20m-investment-grow-electric-fleet-singapore/ |access-date=8 November 2023 |work=Vulcan Post}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}
== Controversies ==
GetGo has been criticised for alleged predatory practices of high excess fees and overcharging users in the event of an accident or maintenance issues with the vehicle, including minor ones, as well as when the user was not responsible.<ref name="excessfees">{{cite web |last1=Yip |first1=Christy |title='The sight and sound give me PTSD': Hassles outweigh savings for some car-sharing users |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/car-sharing-user-experience-cost-saving-insurance-3338901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312030306/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/car-sharing-user-experience-cost-saving-insurance-3338901 |archive-date=12 March 2023 |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=CNA |language=en |quote=When accidents happen, however, car-sharing quickly becomes a costly affair owing to an accident insurance clause that dictates excess fees.}}</ref> In February 2023, a [[fender bender]] between a GetGo KG Mobility (then Ssangyong) vehicle and a Mercedes vehicle resulted in a GetGo user being charged [[Singapore dollar|S$]]4,636, even despite the Mercedes driver agreeing to settle the matter privately with the user for a cost of $288, and that a workshop had previously quoted him only S$150 for the repair.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zi Chan |first1=Kow |title=GetGo user pays other driver S$288 after 'small accident', receives S$4,636 bill from platform |url=https://mothership.sg/2023/03/getgo-small-accident-bill/ |website=mothership.sg |access-date=23 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307122026/https://mothership.sg/2023/03/getgo-small-accident-bill/ |archive-date=7 March 2023 |language=en |date=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cai |first1=Candice |title='Shocked me till my jaw dropped': GetGo car user slapped with $4,600 bill after 'small accident' |url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/shocked-me-till-my-jaw-dropped-getgo-car-user-slapped-4600-bill-after-small-accident |website=AsiaOne |access-date=23 June 2024 |date=26 February 2023}}</ref>
In March 2023, a GetGo user said they were charged S$7,320 after getting into a minor accident in January that year, in a car that they stated was malfunctioning to begin with, including its vehicle's brakes and [[anti-lock braking system]] (ABS). A driver of more than 30 years, they also stated that there were already damages to the vehicle while parked even before they have begun using it.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Seow |first1=Daniel |title=GetGo user disputes S$7,320 damage cost after getting into accident, claiming car was malfunctioning |url=https://mothership.sg/2023/03/getgo-malfunction-car-7k-damage-cost/ |website=[[Mothership (website)|Mothership]] |access-date=23 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506140515/https://mothership.sg/2023/03/getgo-malfunction-car-7k-damage-cost/ |archive-date=6 May 2023 |language=en |date=17 March 2023}}</ref> In response, GetGo disputed the user and claimed that the vehicle was not faulty.<ref name=":1"/> The driver also stated that GetGo's notices of overdue payments include "taking all necessary actions to collect any unpaid balance, including engaging services of [[debt collectors]]."<ref name=":1"/>
In August 2023, a GetGo user revealed that they were charged S$5,589 after a minor accident with a motorcycle in June that previous year, which included third-party damage costing S$3,000. However, after the GetGo user contacted the motorcyclist for their repair bill, they responded that their repairs had only costed S$130 and that GetGo had not even contacted them after months.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Su Man |first1=Ong |author-link=Ong Su Mann |date=6 August 2023 |title=GetGo car user shocked to be charged $3,000 for S$130 repair after accident with motorcycle |url=https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/getgo-car-user-shocked-to-be-charged-3000-for-130-repair-after-accident-with |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806052058/https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/getgo-car-user-shocked-to-be-charged-3000-for-130-repair-after-accident-with |archive-date=6 August 2023 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=Stomp |language=en}}</ref> In October 2023, a GetGo user was charged S$914.42 for a single flat tyre.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Su Mann |first1=Ong |author-link=Ong Su Mann |date=12 October 2023 |title=GetGo car user 'heartbroken' to be charged $914.42 for a flat tyre: 'I lost confidence in driving' |url=https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/getgo-car-user-heartbroken-to-be-charged-91442-for-a-flat-tyre-i-lost-confidence-in |archive-url=https://wayback-api.archive.org/web/20231013015222/https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/getgo-car-user-heartbroken-to-be-charged-91442-for-a-flat-tyre-i-lost-confidence-in |archive-date=13 October 2023 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=Stomp |language=en}}</ref> In January 2024, a GetGo user revealed that they were charged S$1,158 for minor scratches on a [[BYD e6]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Su Mann |first1=Ong |author-link=Ong Su Mann |date=4 January 2024 |title='It was a very expensive lesson': GetGo car user shocked at being charged over $1,000 for 'minor scratch repair' |url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/it-was-very-expensive-lesson-getgo-car-user-shocked-being-charged-over-1000-minor-scratch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104072944/https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/it-was-very-expensive-lesson-getgo-car-user-shocked-being-charged-over-1000-minor-scratch |archive-date=4 January 2024 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=AsiaOne}}</ref>
Along with GetGo, there has been growing calls to regulate the car sharing industry in general and increase [[consumer protection]]s.<ref name="regulation">{{cite web |last1=Yeap |first1=Amanda |date=19 January 2024 |title=The Big Read: Growing calls to regulate car-sharing, amid rising complaints of hefty repair costs and poor service |url=https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-growing-calls-regulate-car-sharing-amid-rising-complaints-hefty-repair-costs-and-poor-service-2345951 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119141002/https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-growing-calls-regulate-car-sharing-amid-rising-complaints-hefty-repair-costs-and-poor-service-2345951 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=8 July 2024 |website=TODAY |language=en}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Vehicle rental brands}}
[[Category:Carsharing]]
[[Category:Transport in Singapore]]
[[Category:Transport companies of Singapore]]
[[Category:Singaporean brands]]