Possible room to adjust taxi availability standards: Ng Chee Meng
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — There may be room to “adjust” the taxi-availability standards in light of the changes to the industry from the proliferation of private-hire services, said Senior Minister of State (Transport) Ng Chee Meng in Parliament on Tuesday (Sept 13).
The average monthly net earnings of taxi drivers have risen by about 5 per cent in real terms since 2013 thanks to lower fuel costs, revealed Mr Ng, who also shared that the average monthly gross income of taxi drivers here has stayed “relatively unchanged” since 2013 before deducting for rental and fuel.
He was speaking in response to a question tabled by Member of Parliament Desmond Choo (Tampines GRC), who had asked how the average income of cabbies had been hit by the rising number of private-hire vehicles, and how taxi-availability standards should be fine-tuned.
Mr Ng told the House that the standards, introduced in 2013, will be reviewed at the end of the year, noting the growth of hailing apps and the private-hire car industry in recent years.
Last November, the Land Transport Authority had said it would not tighten the standards, meant to be raised annually, amid public consultations over private-hire car services, and would continue using 2014 standards when assessing financial penalties this year.
Right now, about 80 per cent of all taxis meet the 250km daily minimum mileage requirement, with more than three-quarters of these cabs clocking more than 300km a day.
The proportion of two-shift taxis has also surged from 53 per cent to 68 per cent since the standards kicked in. “This means that there are now more taxis available on the road for the commuter,” said Mr Ng.
He pointed out that the daily minimum mileage was meant to be reached at the fleet level, not at the level of individual cabs. “For example, during the weekends, the standard is that 75 per cent of a taxi company’s fleet must meet the daily minimum mileage,” he added.
“Where appropriate, we’ll further level the playing field for the industry and we’ll … review the taxi-availability framework with a balanced view towards the commuter needs and also the welfare of taxi drivers,” Mr Ng said.
“We expect to be able to say more towards the end of the year when we’ve gathered sufficient data for a comprehensive review.”
