Nov 8, 2007
LTA nets 39 errant cabbies in
crackdown
Drivers caught touting, overcharging or not picking up passengers
in 5-day operation
Straits Times, The
(Singapore)
Home
November 8, 2007
Author: Maria Almenoar
MORE errant cabbies have been caught by the Land Transport
Authority (LTA) in its latest sting.
Casting their nets in Sentosa, Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and at
Orchard Towers, LTA officers hauled in 39 cabbies between Oct 30
and last Saturday.
Of these, 26 were caught overcharging, seven touting and six
refusing to pick up passengers.
Several cabbies are likely to lose their licences or be suspended
when investigations are completed, but the LTA declined to give a
breakdown of the number of suspensions or licences revoked.
In a crackdown two weeks ago, the LTA caught 41 errant cabbies in
many of these hot spots.
The Sunday Times first highlighted the problem of cabbies fleecing
and refusing to pick up passengers last month and, following public
complaints, the LTA stepped up enforcement.
The Taxi Operators' Associations, which represents six taxi
associations, said in a statement that it did not condone such
behaviour, but pointed out that these errant drivers were a
minority out for a quick profit.
It said: 'These drivers' irresponsible actions are unfair to the
majority of drivers who have chosen to abide by the rules and make
an honest living through taxi driving.'
Taxi driver Mohamad Sahat, 61, who has been plying the roads for
more than 15 years, agreed that honest drivers reputations' were
affected.
Referring to the touts, he said: 'They are happy doing such a
thing, but the rest of the drivers are sad that they are giving us
a bad name.'
He is part of the Association for Malay/Muslim Taxi Drivers, which
has issued its 120 members a warning against such behaviour.
ComfortDelGro, the largest taxi operator with a fleet of 15,000
taxis, said it was patrolling the hot spots regularly, issuing
warnings and suspending the hiring agreements of recalcitrant
drivers.
But spokesman Tammy Tan added that these actions had their limits:
'The problem is that we can't possibly be at all places at all
times, and even when we catch errant drivers and impose strict
disciplinary measures like terminating their agreements, they quite
easily join another company.'
She added, however, that ComfortDelGro was stepping up enforcement
and had just terminated the hiring agreements of two drivers caught
touting on Sunday.
The LTA is also intensifying its enforcement operations throughout
the week.
The public is urged to give feedback or report errant cabbies by
calling its hotline on 1800-225-5582.
Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co.
