Nine drivers caught for illegal ride-hailing services, vehicles impounded: LTA
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Nine drivers were caught offering illegal ride-hailing services during patrols at Arab Street, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Marsiling Road and Changi Airport.
PHOTO: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY/FACEBOOK
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – Nine drivers caught offering illegal ride-hailing services during enforcement operations in the second half of September have had their vehicles impounded.
The drivers were caught during patrols at Arab Street, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Marsiling Road and Changi Airport, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a Facebook post on Sept 26.
The vehicles of these drivers were impounded, the LTA said, adding that in addition to ongoing regulatory efforts, it had acted on tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and National Taxi Association.
In a Facebook post on Sept 26, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said these drivers will be charged with providing illegal ride-hailing services.
Such vehicles are unlicensed and therefore do not have adequate insurance coverage for passengers, she added.
In a previous Facebook post on Aug 6, Ms Sun said: “Such services put passengers at risk and harm the livelihoods of law-abiding licensed drivers.”
To offer taxi or private-hire car services here, all motorists must hold a Public Service Vehicle Licence. Malaysia-registered taxis must also have an Asean Public Service Vehicle Permit. Both licences are issued by the LTA.
The arrests of these nine drivers come as Singapore authorities crack down on illegal ride-hailing activities, including those who offer such services within the Republic and across the border with Malaysia
On Aug 27, Ms Sun also announced government action against the app inDrive for facilitating illegal ride-hailing activities.
The app has been restricted in Singapore since Aug 27 on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.
Travellers should book rides with licensed point-to-point operators in Singapore, including ComfortDelGro and Strides Premier, Ms Sun said in her Sept 26 post.
ComfortDelGro announced on Sept 18 that bookings for cross-border rides to Johor Bahru from anywhere in Singapore can be made via its hotline from Sept 25.
The transport giant said its 90 cabbies who have valid cross-border taxi licences will be available to provide the service.
Likewise, Strides Premier, which is owned by transport operator SMRT, announced on Sept 19 a cross-border taxi service.
Licensed taxis from Singapore or Malaysia can pick up or drop off passengers anywhere within their respective countries, but must use the designated terminal after crossing the border, Ms Sun said in her Sept 26 post.
The designated terminals are Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Ban San Street Terminal in Rochor, Singapore.
Ms Sun added that LTA is in discussions with its Malaysian counterparts on how they can better meet the needs of local consumers.
“This has to be done while upholding both the safety of passengers and protecting the livelihoods of our drivers,” she said.
