Taxi and private-hire vehicle drivers in Singapore are tired of losing their earnings to illegal cross-border ride-hailing services. Recognizing the threat these unregulated operators pose to the livelihoods of licensed drivers, a unified effort is underway to tackle the persistent issue of illegal cross-border ride-hailing services in Singapore. Singapore’s private-hire drivers, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) are working together, with drivers serving as the “eyes on the ground”, they have become a network of urban vigilantes, armed with mobile phones to personally document motorists and their vehicles believed to be offering these illicit services, many of which are from Malaysia. Photos and videos of illegal services have been taken at hotspots like Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay and are submitted to the LTA for official enforcement.
The Drivers’ Perspective
For local drivers, this isn’t just a job; it’s a constant battle to protect their earnings. “Every day, we see them,” says a private-hire driver who wished to remain anonymous. One local private-hire driver, who requested to be known as “Ben,” shared his frustration. “I was waiting for a passenger at the airport when I saw a Malaysian-registered MPV. The driver got out and started helping a group of tourists with their luggage. They were clearly not family or friends, just a business transaction happening right in front of us.”
Ben explained his resolve. “These illegal operators offer ridiculously low prices. They don’t have to worry about our costs—the licenses, the insurance, the petrol duties. It’s not a fair fight. My only option is to document it and send it to the LTA. If we don’t do this, they will continue to take our business.”
Hilarious Response From Across the Causeway
In response to the documentation efforts, a Johor Bahru-based group calling itself the “Southern Private Hire Vehicle Association” recently posted a rather absurd rant that has been widely mocked by local drivers.
The post complained about the “outrageous” and “lawless” behaviour of Singaporeans “indiscriminately” photographing Malaysian cars. It then laughably tried to invoke Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), claiming that vehicle license plates are considered personal data. According to them, anyone taking a photo and uploading it online is violating the law. They even went so far as to advise Malaysian drivers to file police reports and complaints with the PDPC.
The claim, which ignores the context of illegal activity, has been widely ridiculed. It’s seen by many as a desperate and hollow attempt to stop Singaporean drivers from gathering the evidence needed for official enforcement. It seems the best defense they could muster was a misguided legal threat, rather than, you know, simply adhering to the law.
Government and Association Actions
While drivers are doing their part on the ground, the authorities are backing them up. Senior Minister of State for Transport, Sun Xueling, has made it clear that the LTA is ramping up its enforcement. She stated that these illegal services not only put passengers at risk but also “harms the livelihoods of law-abiding licensed drivers.” The government is also looking into a better system for legal cross-border transport.
The National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) is working closely with the government on this issue. They have actively provided tip-offs to the LTA, which led to recent successful operations. In one joint LTA-ICA operation, 19 drivers were nabbed and their vehicles were impounded. The NPHVA’s actions prove they are a crucial partner in the fight, representing their members and ensuring their concerns about illegal competition are heard and acted upon.
How Singaporeans Can Help
Singaporeans also have a vital part to play in supporting licensed private hire drivers and protecting their livelihoods. You can help by choosing to book rides only through licensed private hire vehicle platforms.
Furthermore, if you spot any suspicious activity or are approached by a suspected illegal operator, you can help by reporting it to the authorities. The LTA has launched a new online form on the OneMotoring website specifically for this purpose. When you submit a report, be sure to include key information such as the vehicle’s registration plate number, the date, time, and location of the incident, along with any photos or videos you may have. Your tip-offs can make a significant difference in assisting LTA’s investigations and helping drivers protect their “rice bowl.”
