Khaw eyes fairer deal as cabbies air woes over apps

SINGAPORE — Newly minted Senior Minister of State for Transport Ng Chee Meng has been tasked to look into a level playing field for taxi drivers and private-car sharing apps such as Uber.

In his third blog post since the Cabinet line-up was announced on Monday, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who was sworn in with other office-holders yesterday (Oct 1), said he has asked Mr Ng to consult cabbies and the public, and forge a fair solution.

During the recent General Election campaign, “quite a number” of taxi drivers told Mr Khaw that UberX was “unfair”, although they welcomed UberTaxi, which has improved their business, he said.

UberX drivers use private cars to ferry passengers around on-demand and do not need a vocational licence as taxi drivers do, he wrote. “While taxi drivers welcome competition, they demand that the playing field be level. I think our taxi drivers have a point,” he said. The Ministry of Transport “will study this, and where justified, we shall level the playing field”.

Countries that have banned Uber and similar apps have overreacted and been too hasty in judging such new business concepts that are part of the sharing economy, Mr Khaw felt: “A balanced approach is called for.”

Contacted today, Uber spokesman Karun Arya said it was the only mobile app offering “such a variety” of choices to riders and drivers here, through UberX (the most affordable option), the regular UberTaxi, and the premium UberExec.

Uber’s “pioneering technology platform has allowed us to offer everyone better choices and more flexibility in how they commute, and when and how often they wish to drive”, he said. Its “driver entrepreneurs” include former taxi drivers, students and young professionals.

“We look forward to continuing our ongoing dialogue with the Singaporean authorities to explore how Uber can help continue to provide access to safe, reliable transportation options for commuters and more earning opportunities for drivers,” he added.

Mr Khaw’s blog post drew 30 comments, many thoughtful, on the MOT’s Facebook page by 9pm today.

Some highlighted how difficult it was to get a taxi during peak hours or on rainy days before third-party ride-booking apps came to Singapore. Others spoke of the convenience of Uber’s payment system and encounters with drivers who were helpful and courteous. 

“I don’t think taxi drivers themselves are to blame. Something is fundamentally wrong with the taxi system in Singapore when we have some of the highest numbers of taxis per capita, and yet supply and demand are polar opposites of each other under different situations,” wrote netizen Gerald Tan. “Fix that systemic problem, and not Uber. The popularity of Uber was merely a response to that very problem.”

Uber drivers are not allowed to queue at taxi stands or use other infrastructure catered for taxi drivers, said another netizen Kim Unji, who felt car-sharing regulations should be considered in their own right.