Man gets fine, driving ban for using motorcycle as private-hire vehicle in first such case
LTA investigations revealed the motorcyclist agreed to ferry a passenger for a fare, despite knowing that it was an offence to do so.
A motorcyclist being questioned during an LTA enforcement operation targetting illegal car and motorcycle pooling services on May 3, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Land Transport Authority)
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SINGAPORE: In the first case of its kind in Singapore, a man has been convicted for using a motorcycle as a private-hire vehicle, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Friday (Jan 5).
During an enforcement operation in May last year targeting illegal car and motorcycle pooling services, LTA booked two drivers and a motorcyclist, and impounded their vehicles.
“The motorcyclist was charged and convicted for using a prohibited vehicle as a public service vehicle and for using the vehicle without the requisite insurance coverage,” said the authority said in a Facebook post.
“This is the first time that a motorcyclist has been charged and convicted for conveying passengers for hire and reward.”
Court documents showed that an LTA enforcement officer conducted a check on the motorcyclist, 33-year-old Muhammad Hasbullah Rosly, along the vicinity of Block 505D Yishun Street 51 on May 3, 2023 at about 8.45am.
Investigations revealed Hasbullah had been hired by his passenger to ferry him from Yishun Street 51 to ITE College West in Choa Chu Kang for a fare of S$18 (US$14), despite not knowing the passenger personally.
Despite knowing that is an offence to ferry passengers on a motorcycle for a fare, it was found that Hasbullah agreed to ferry the passenger as he wanted to "earn additional income".
Hasbullah also admitted that at about 6.30am on the same day, he had ferried a passenger from Tampines to ITE College West for a fare of S$18.
His motorcycle was not registered as a public service vehicle as motorcycles are forbidden from being used as private-hire vehicles.
He also did not have a valid insurance policy, with insurance company Etiqa confirming its policy did not cover the motorbike when used for hire and reward services.
For using a proscribed vehicle as a public service vehicle and using a vehicle without insurance coverage, Hasbullah was fined S$1,800 and received a 12-month driving ban.
NO VOCATIONAL LICENCE
One of the two drivers booked in the same enforcement operation was charged and convicted for not possessing a valid vocational licence, in addition to using his vehicle without a valid public service vehicle licence and not having the requisite insurance coverage.
Muhammad Nasrulhaq Shamsulnizam, 21, was ferrying a passenger from Block 194 Rivervale Drive to Thomson Plaza for S$24 when he was stopped by an LTA enforcement officer on May 3, 2023 at about 11.55am.
Investigations found that Nasrulhaq did not have a vocational licence allowing him to drive a taxi, or private hire car or bus.
Based on LTA records, his vehicle was registered as a passenger motor car and did not possess a valid public service vehicle licence.
Nasrulhaq also did not have a valid insurance policy, with insurance company NTUC Income confirming its policy did not cover the car when used for hire and reward services.
For using an unlicensed public service vehicle, driving a public service vehicle without a valid vocational licence, and using a vehicle without insurance coverage, Nasrulhaq was fined S$1,800 and received a 12-month driving ban.
The other driver, De Cruz Wayne Randall, was convicted of the same offence. He was fined S$1,800 and given a 12-month driving ban on Mar 13.
“We take a serious view of such unlawful practices and will continue to take enforcement action against those providing illegal car- and motorcycle-pooling services,” said LTA.
The authority added that commuters are "strongly encouraged" to book point-to-point transport services, including commercial car-pooling services, via licensed business platforms for their own safety.
