If you like or have no choice but to take private-hire cars, here's some good news: Indonesian ride-hailing service Go-Jek might be arriving in Singapore as early as October 2018.

According to anonymous sources quoted by TechCrunch, Singapore is next in the company's expansion plans after Vietnam (where it launched Go-Viet, a motorcycle hailing service), and Thailand (where it has started recruitment).

Go-Jek is also seeking a permit to operate in the Philippines.

Head to head with Grab

In Singapore, however, Go-Jek will not be able to launch its motorcycle service as Singapore does not allow motorbike taxis (called ojek in Indonesia).

Instead, the company will most likely launch a car service -- pitting it head to head with Grab.

How that would turn out is anyone's guess.

Go-Jek, being a tech platform like Grab, does not have a fleet of its own.

Earlier in the year, it was revealed that the tech company is in talks with ComfortDelGro (Singapore's biggest taxi operator) for its entry to Singapore.

This is similar to the arrangement it has with Indonesian taxi operator BlueBird. 

It is unclear what results the talks in Singapore have yielded.

Aside from ride-hailing services, Go-Jek is similar to Grab in that it also has other verticals such as food delivery and mobile payments on its platform in Indonesia.

It is possible that after its ride-hailing services have gained a foothold locally, Go-Jek will expand on their other offerings.

Go-Jek already has a data-science office in Singapore, which was established in January 2017.

Today, you can even download Go-Jek's app, although its ride-hailing services aren't available for use here:

[related_story]

Coming on the heels of the recent multi-million-dollar fine on Grab by Singapore's competition watchdog, the entry of another rapidly growing tech platform will likely be good news for consumers of ride-hailing services.

Top images via Go-Jek and Go-Jek app

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