The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has seized 15 vehicles that were providing rides without the proper licenses. This is a big part of their ongoing effort to keep people safe and protect the livelihoods of all the legal drivers out there.
Acting on Tips and Working Together
The LTA was acting on “tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicle Association and National Taxi Association.” These groups represent the drivers who play by the rules, so it makes sense that they’re helping the authorities spot the illegal operators.
The drivers were caught in various places, including Woodlands, Ang Mo Kio, and Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim. All of their vehicles were immediately taken away and impounded.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling shared in a Facebook post that since July, the LTA has impounded a total of 102 foreign-registered vehicles for providing illegal services. She stressed that these drivers don’t have the “requisite licence and insurance coverage for passengers,” which puts people at risk.
Why the Crackdown?
The main reason for all this action is to protect both passengers and licensed drivers. The LTA has made it clear that these illegal vehicles are a problem because they are unlicensed and don’t have proper insurance. This means if you get into a car with one of them and something goes wrong, you might not be covered. The LTA explained that they are doing this “to protect passenger safety and the interests of licensed drivers.”
Legal taxi and private-hire drivers have to go through a lot to get their licenses, and they have to follow strict rules. When others operate illegally, it takes business away from the people who are doing things the right way. As Ms. Sun put it in an earlier post, “Such services put passengers at risk and harm the livelihoods of law-abiding licensed drivers.”
What Happens to the Drivers?
Drivers who are found providing illegal ride-hailing services can face some pretty serious consequences.
- A fine of up to S$3,000
- Up to six months in jail, or both
- Their vehicles can also be taken away for good.
To legally offer taxi or private-hire car services in Singapore, a driver must have a Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSVL). Foreign drivers, especially those from Malaysia, also need an Asean Public Service Vehicle Permit. The LTA issues both of these.
In an effort to provide better legal options, major taxi companies like ComfortDelGro and Strides Premier have also launched their own cross-border taxi services to Johor Bahru. This gives people a safe and legal way to travel, which is what the authorities want to encourage.
