GrabCar, Uber drivers may need VL

Ct2220 SG

GrabCar, Uber drivers may need vocational licence soon.

www..com/singapore/grabcar-uber-drivers-may-need-vocational-licence-soon

Private-car hire drivers operating under Uber and GrabCar may soon be required to have a vocational licence, under regulations expected to be announced next month.

A proposed training programme lasting at least 10 hours - shorter than the 60-hour taxi driver vocational licence (TDVL) course - is being considered by the authorities for these private chauffeurs, sources told The Straits Times.

The licensing requirement, which follows a review that started last October, is expected to be announced by the Ministry of Transport next month during the Budget debate.

There will be a "phase-in" period to allow drivers time to go for the vocational course, said industry sources who requested anonymity. It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of private-car hire drivers here.

Course credits attained during the proposed vocational training could also be used for the TDVL, should the drivers want to become cabbies.

Besides vocational licensing, sources said, the authorities are mulling over clearer markings on cars being used to pick up passengers. This could be through decals pasted on these vehicles to identify them.

Asked about the upcoming regulations, the Land Transport Authority said only that it was finalising the review. "More details will be made known in the coming weeks," a spokesman said.

With a regulatory framework, Singapore will join other countries, such as the Philippines and Australia, which are moving towards regulating an industry that has come under heat worldwide for allegedly competing unfairly with taxis.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan had said in October that, where justified, the Government would "level the playing field" between taxis and private-car hire services.

The head of Grab Singapore, Mr Lim Kell Jay, said vocational licensing can serve as an "added assurance" to commuters.

He said the company does its own screening in the form of "background checks, in-person registration, induction training as well as vehicle inspections".

Uber's general manager in Singapore, Mr Warren Tseng, said he was "hopeful of a positive outcome" to the review - one that will ensure drivers can continue to have flexible work opportunities, and commuters, reliable transportation options.

Private-car hire driver James Koh, 53, said if vocational licences become a requirement, part-timers may find it a hassle and stop driving. "We have been operating for so long without problems, I find it strange that we need to have a licence," he said.

However, National University of Singapore transport researcher Lee Der Horng said regulations actually benefit private-car hire services by legitimising them.

He said services like Uber and GrabCar should also disclose data on their platforms with the Government, as taxi operators do.

"The Government can have full visibility of how many vehicles are on the roads on a day-to-day basis, and how much mileage is clocked.

"By being better informed, policies can be adjusted to help solve transportation issues in Singapore, for example, by putting more taxis or private cars for hire on the roads."

兄弟们，风水大师可以骗你10年8年，俺这些话最多6个月就能证明！

http://sgforums.com/forums/1802/topics/490796

wsy1234 SG

National University of Singapore transport researcher Lee Der Horng said regulations actually benefit private-car hire services by legitimising them.

He said services like Uber and GrabCar should also disclose data on their platforms with the Government, as taxi operators do.

i think this so call researcher mr Lee is an anti private cars people like most of the LTA people. only they and the rich people can own cars on the road other people cannot own and do business on the road.

f1taxidriver SG

You cannot say that he is anti-private taxi. There are 'pirate taxi' drivers, who may not be using grab or uber, who simply wind down their window and ask where the 'pax' is going. Short transfers taking 10 mins can cost $10.

These pirate cabbies must be removed from the transport industry.

getcarter SG

So how? PR also can take? Got age limit like 30yrs old?

peterpan212 SG

discrimination. why 10hr compare to 60hr? where is there justification for the 50hr more hr where other can do in 10hrs?

peterpan212 SG

These pirate cabbies must be removed from the transport industry.

private taxi is illegal in sg. the term to use is priveate car hiring. pls use proper term.

j007 SG

likely the new policies not going to have much changes, just more income for government with the VLs and licencing

peterpan212 SG

so it is for show only

foolsh_2000 SG

10 hrs of lessons?what a joke!same day apply,same day test,same day get licence!got the licence in one day!some more can convert licence to TVL if they want to!

decent02 SG

Why complain when you vote them in.
Here kpkb….also no use.
Dare to go on strike against uber policies like cabbies in other countries?
Top make the decision , sg TD juz need to follow.
Not happy throw key.
Another few years later they say since grab driver has tdvl then it’s OK for them to pick up street waving paxs
This day will come…..

wsy1234 SG

good, remove some competition on the roads. too many Grab and uber drivers

wsy1234 SG

that is good then i will give up renting taxi and buy a car to do business. still i think LTA should bring back yellow top taxi.

bowah SG

The way I look at it is that Govt is confirming apps ride to stay and operate here, by putting a structured legal framework, we might think there will be less drivers taking up apps ride, but it can turn out to be worst for taxi drivers.

1st, now I can operate legally,
2nd, now I can go full steam ahead and create more rangers and elites
3rd, taxi drivers dun come and complain this and that anymore.

decent02 SG

Hope COE stay high.
Once COE drops, TAXI can die very fast.
Imagine car owners all come out to drive at night.
Night legal TD die.
Can only queue and sweep.
Day TD should be able to survive.
These few days I cover for my hirer whom has gone for vacation. 8.30am drove past Chinatown OG. I am quite surprised to see 7 to 8 taxi queuing at taxi stand.
Peak hour in the past no such queue at OG.

decent02 SG

Actually TD kill themselves.
When grab just started, the rangers and elites very supportive because bonus payout very good.
Got free TV etc.
Once they build up their client Base, they started grab car n also start promoting grab car.
Then payout for grab taxi starts to shrink.
So TD pawned themselves.
My once elites GT cdg cabby friend used to drive with busy sign always on. Only cheong GT calls. Now….hahaha cdg mdt on with for hire.

magpi SG

See how the taxi companies react lor. If my taxi rental go down on par with car rental, problem solve by staying with taxi.

If my taxi rental still higher than car rental, also can solve problem by going to car. If car with decal can do street pickups somemore, lagi problem solve ah.

magpi SG

Taxi vl is open for locals age 30 and above only.

Question is if the 10hr plus course is for locals only or open to PR or all. If this course is open to all, i must buy a jackknife to cut more grasses.

Keepthechange666 SG

I hope the day will come, taxi roof can suka suka take down, put back.......

Don't say I talk nonsense, some develope city already happening......

Über and taxi can work hand in hand.......

bowah SG

The notable and noble is that when COE was at 90k, they come out with new cabs charging one hundred and thirty and above, that time we understood the rationale of it but now COE is at 45k average, they still bought and charge at that price, so next year, prepare to see Cdg and all other taxi companies profit hit over the roof top, but taxi drivers all cry mother, cry father.

Redxx SG

I hope the day will come, taxi roof can suka suka take down, put back.......

Don't say I talk nonsense, some develope city already happening......

Über and taxi can work hand in hand.......

Work leg in leg also no use....

6pm+ camp at mbfc no ting at all for 30 min in a normal day..