Singapore's ComfortDelGro to raise taxi fares

SINGAPORE Dec 10 (Reuters) - Leading Singapore taxi firm ComfortDelGro (CMDG.SI) will raise fares from Dec. 17, it said in a statement.

The hikes imposed include a 12 percent increase in the starting fare to S$2.80 ($1.94), and the tripling of a surcharge to S$3 for taxis entering Singapore's downtown area after 5:00 p.m.

ComfortDelGro, which has the largest fleet of taxis in Singapore with 15,000 vehicles, said the changes took into account higher operating costs.

Rival SMRT (SMRT.SI), number two with 3,000 taxis, has said it is also looking into a fare increase. (Reporting by Daryl Loo; Editing by Paul Bolding)