Daily Briefing: QR code parking system for shared bicycles to launch in 2019; Home sales volume could bounce back in September

And Grab to keep redemption rates beyond September.

From Tech In Asia:

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will roll out a QR code-based parking system by 2019 to get users to park dockless bikes in designated areas.

The agency will begin installing the QR codes in parking areas from September and will run a public education campaign to inform users about the new parking system.

There will be penalties for users that fail to scan the QR code to end their ride and park bicycles in the right places. They’ll be fined S$5 (about US$3.66) by the relevant bike-sharing operator for a first offense. Users who do this at least three times in a calendar year will face a ban of up to a year from all bike-sharing services.

Read more here.

From iCompareLoan:

The successful launches of Mayfair Gardens and JadeScape could suggest that home sales volume could see a rebound by September, PropNex CEO Ismail Gafoor said.

“It is understandable that August performance is slower as it is the first month right after the cooling measures were implemented, with buyers and investors still trying to understand and ‘digest’ the effects of future pricing,” he said. Mr Ismail predicted new home sales to hit more than 800 units next month.

He expects transaction to hit more than 800 units for September 2018. For 3Q 2018, Mr Ismail predicts that sales figures exceed the 3,000 mark and ending the year with overall of 9,000 to 9,500 private new homes being transacted. This would be around 10% lower than 2017’s performance of 10,566 units.

Read more here.

From Channel News Asia:

Grab will retain the existing redemption rates under its GrabRewards programme beyond the end of September despite announcing a change to its rewards system which was followed by ‘some initial unhappiness from customers’.

The changes to its loyalty programme - including reducing the number of points earned by riders per dollar spent - were among some of the items highlighted by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), who on Monday imposed a S$6.42 million fine and several restrictions on Grab to address competition concerns arising from its merger with Uber.

"We heard your feedback. That's why we're pleased to announce that even after 30 September 2018, all Silver, Gold and Platinum members will continue to enjoy preferential pricing on Grab rewards," said Grab in an email notification to its customers.

Read more here.