While large companies with tens or hundreds of workers can afford to hire coaches that can accommodate around 45 passengers, this is inconvenient for many contractors and subcontractors, who make ad hoc trips with only a dozen. workers or less each time.

The Aespada app, launched last year, initially connected businesses to a network of heavy-duty vehicles including trucks and truck cranes.

This month, it added a fleet of minibuses to its platform which Mr. Li said companies “can access 24/7 to book ad hoc or scheduled travel to transport their workers around. of Singapore “.

Buses can carry seven, nine or 13 workers and each trip is priced from S $ 55 to S $ 65, depending on the number of workers.

Mr. Li said about 25 companies have registered so far, and there are requests for regular long-term travel as well as ad hoc “on-demand” services.

“We took five trips last week on a trial basis with a company. We’re opening it up to others next week after making some improvements to improve the user experience,” he said, adding that ‘he noted a “positive demand”.

He added that 235 buses have pledged to join the platform and that integration will take place over the next three months as demand increases.

Although the company does not own the vehicles, it “consolidates” small and medium-sized transport providers on its booking platform, much like what Grab does for private rental cars, Mr. . Li.