| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE : A phased-in approach may have been a better option when it comes to the recently-imposed rule of taxis being allowed only to stop at designated driveways and taxi stands in the CBD area.
This is according to Advisor to Taxi Operators' Associations Seng Han Thong who, together with the associations, sent a list of issues faced by the cabbies because of this new rule to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) just last week.
During the past few days, there have been long queues at taxi stands despite the pouring rain.
But despite a growing chorus of complaints from passengers and taxi drivers, an LTA ruling on taxi pick-ups and drop-offs only at designated stands and driveways remains for the moment.
"We know we have to obey the regulations, but then it would be inconvenient for the person who is taking the taxi," said one commuter.
"I cannot book a taxi like before and they can come and pick me up at the hotel. Now I have to carry my luggage to the taxi stand," said another.
One main reason the LTA has given for the new rule is safety - that taxi drivers do not stop suddenly along a busy road, especially with so many new bus lanes now.
Foo Chi Yong, President, Premier Taxi Operators' Association, said: "When we have a passenger on board, they keep on telling us why the private car is allowed to drop off family members - why are you not allowed? You are a taxi driver, you should be able to - why are you so special you have to stop at a designated taxi stand?"
Mr Seng said the Taxi Operators' Associations has formed a Working Group with representatives from LTA to look at the issues.
He feels a phased approach rather than a Big Bang approach would have been better, especially since such a large group of people are involved.
Mr Seng said: "First it's the taxi drivers, second, it's the commuters - and you have the local and foreign commuters. You have the providers, the buildings, the hotels, which must provide taxi stands and many do not have this in-built structure."
Public communication, he added, also needs to be enhanced.
Many still do not know what the new ruling is or even where the taxi stands are.
And while the authorities are looking at building more stands, Mr Seng has called for more flexibility for taxi drivers as long as they do not compromise safety.
With the recent litany of complaints, which has also gone online, it remains to be seen just how far the LTA will bend to accommodate these grouses, and improve a scheme which may have started off with good intentions, but has ended up resulting in a whole new set of unnecessary problems for the very groups of people it was intended to help. - CNA/ch
|
