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Two caught in LTA crackdown on unlicensed private car services

SINGAPORE — Amid the concerns raised by some Members of Parliament (MPs) last week about private cars being used as chauffeured vehicles, enforcement action by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has netted only two such cases in the past seven months.

SINGAPORE — Amid the concerns raised by some Members of Parliament (MPs) last week about private cars being used as chauffeured vehicles, enforcement action by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has netted only two such cases in the past seven months.

The two unlicensed services emerged from 15 sting operations conducted, the LTA said, in response to TODAY’s queries. It added that it will continue active enforcements.

Under existing regulations, only those holding commercial licences can offer chauffeur services using private cars, though they must be pre-booked and cannot be hailed on the streets. Those found flouting these rules are liable to a maximum punishment of a S$3,000 fine and a six-month jail term, while the vehicle may also be forfeited.

The issue of private chauffeured services was raised in Parliament last week during the debate on the Third-Party Taxi Booking Service Providers Bill. At that time, MPs called for more regulation of these private services.

They cited concerns over commuters being caught unaware by expensive charges for these services and taxi drivers complaining about private drivers at taxi stands.

Contacted by TODAY, third-party booking service providers did not give the number of private-car drivers under their charge, but said there are rules in place to regulate the conduct of these drivers.

For instance, GrabCar Singapore, the private arm of GrabTaxi, only works with licensed vehicles and drivers, said Ms See Ee Ling, head of GrabCar Singapore. Drivers being investigated for offences can be suspended, she added. The number of rides under GrabCar has leapt 10 times since it was launched last year.

Easy Taxi’s private-car service, Easy Taxi Premium, primarily works with private-car service companies using Toyota or Mercedes brand cars, said the EasyTaxi’s regional managing director Li Jianggan. Easy Taxi Premium also accepts only mobile bookings, and there has not been any issues regarding this rule since the launch of this service in April last year, he said.

TODAY understands the LTA’s enforcement operations involve undercover officers staking out at taxi stands, or booking private-car services through the third-party mobile booking apps. They also investigate complaints made by the public.

MP Ang Hin Kee (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who is executive adviser of the National Taxi Association and was one of the MPs who spoke during the parliamentary debate, said today (May 19) that beyond the enforcement actions by the authorities, there should also be public education efforts to guide commuters on what to look out for when they use chauffeured private-car services.

Action should also be taken against third-party taxi booking service providers found to have partnered with unauthorised private-car drivers, he added.

“There should be responsibility on (the providers’) part to ensure that their drivers are above board.”

Mr Seng Han Thong (Ang Mo Kio GRC) went one step further to suggest the third-party taxi booking service providers recruit drivers who are holding valid taxi vocational licences. This would ensure the drivers are well-trained and give cabbies an alternative job as private chauffeured drivers.

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