SINGAPORE - A total of 5,800 drivers with SMRT Taxis will receive a slew of new incentives worth around $2.5 million, the company said on Monday (Aug 3).
These include:
- Medisave top-up of $50 for hirers and $25 for relief drivers;
- an incentive of $50 for driving 250km a day during the National Day weekend;
- road tax rebate of up to $510 for petrol taxis, to be paid out half-yearly from this month until July next year;
- additional loyalty bonus of between $180 and $1,000 for drivers who have been with the company for more than six years, beyond the existing loyalty incentive scheme; and
- discounts at partner Esso petrol stations.
SMRT Taxis general manager Tony Heng said the measures would help to lower operating costs for drivers and thank them for their hard work.
"While the rest of Singapore is celebrating (this weekend) our taxi partners are serving hard on the road, so we want to appreciate them," he said at the SMRT Sports and Recreation Club in Bishan, where 300 drivers received SG50 goodie bags from the company.
"More drivers are crossing the long service mark so it's timely to reward them," he added.
Mr Ang Hin Kee, executive adviser of the National Taxi Association and assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, said the contribution towards Medisave accounts will go a long way towards helping the drivers, who are self-employed, to manage the premiums of MediShield Life after it kicks in on Nov 1.
Speaking on the sidelines of the SMRT Taxis event, the Ang Mo Kio GRC MP responded to a question on the upcoming general election and said that political parties and candidates should be able to assure Singaporeans that they can build on the foundation that has been set up over the past 50 years and help Singapore progress in "the right direction".
"It is important to recognise that 50 years of effort and contribution has made Singapore what it is today. We built the right foundation," said Mr Ang.
"Whichever political party or candidate, can you give the assurance that there are ways and approaches to make sure Singapore will progress in the right direction?"
Mr Ang did not say whether he would be staying put in his Cheng San-Seletar ward in the elections.
