BlueSG has announced a “pause” to its car-sharing operations from 11.59pm on Friday (8 Aug).
In a Facebook post on Monday (4 Aug), Singapore’s only car-sharing platform that offers point-to-point services said it was “embarking on a major platform upgrade”.
As part of this upgrade, BlueSG promised an improved platform, a refreshed fleet of vehicles, an expanded network of locations for pick-up and drop-off and “greater reliability, smoother user experience”.
It also apologised for the temporary disruption, acknowledging that it might cause inconvenience to customers.
However, it assured them that it would return with an “easier, more reliable and enjoyable” ride experience.
On its website, BlueSG explained that its pause was planned so it could focus fully on a “bold upgrade” to the platform.
Users will be able to access their accounts until 11.59pm on 31 Aug, but they will be able to use their unexpired credits and vouchers only up to 8 Aug.
Unused credits and vouchers with more than seven days’ validity after that date will be eligible for refunds.
Users must update their contact details within the app to a PayNow-linked number by 16 Aug so BlueSG can process all refunds by 31 Aug.
BlueSG’s Customer Experience team will remain contactable via phone, live chat, and email until 31 Aug. From 1 Sept to 1 Oct, it will only be reachable via email.
BlueSg also said on Monday that it had laid off a number of employees, reported The Business Times (BT).
While not disclosing how many the layoffs affect, BlueSG said the layoffs are a “difficult decision to streamline operations significantly”.
The company is now operating with “a core team”.
Affected employees will receive “fair severance”, career support and redeployment opportunities if possible.
BlueSG Chief Executive Officer Keith Kee told BT that the service was not ending but was preparing for the upgrade.
Its existing vehicles will be decommissioned or repurposed and are “not likely” to be used after the upgrade, which he described as a “long-term strategic vision”.
The company’s focus now is on addressing “the current issues” and making sure its service and users can “take the pause”.
However, he also teased some future investments from strategic partners, including in the form of technology and expertise.
The new platform is to roll out next year.
Also read: New BlueSG Opel Cars Available For Rental, Users Claim It’s Better Than Previous Model
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Featured image from TheSmartLocal.