MORE drivers are using their own cars to provide illegal taxi
services - a situation reminiscent of Singapore's pre-1970s pirate
taxi days.
In the first nine months of this year, 39 motorists were arrested
for using their cars as taxis. Only 12 were arrested last year,
while in 2012, there were no arrests.
The Land Transport Authority, which provided these figures, said
that arrests were made after feedback was received from various
sources. It receives an average of 70 complaints a year about such
illegal taxi services.
Such services can be found on online classified sites such as
Gumtree, 88DB and Locanto.
Drivers who offer such a service said they know it is illegal but
did not think they would get caught. They usually offer an hourly
rate, day rate or per-trip rate. One such driver is a former sales
executive who is currently unemployed. She charges an hourly rate
of $40 and makes about $400 a week chauffeuring passengers in her
Toyota Altis.
"It's not enough to pay for the monthly car instalments but it
helps," said the 25-year-old, who asked not to be named.
Luxury cars like BMWs and Audis are also being hawked as taxis. One
Audi A5 driver said he could make as much as $4,000 a month. "I do
everything; I can pick up kids, take you to work, and then take you
home in the evening," he said, adding that he sometimes doubles as
a babysitter. "My customers like that I am good with kids; I have
to entertain them sometimes in the car," said the 32-year-old, who
is also a property speculator.
Drivers said that while their prices are higher than taxis', their
passengers prefer the familiarity and personalised service, adding
that passengers tend to be well-to-do executives.
They said most bookings were pre-arranged and they generally did
not get calls from people who needed a taxi on the spot because
they could not get one outside.
National Taxi Association adviser Ang Hin Kee points out that there
are safety concerns with such an arrangement.
"You don't know whether the insurance covers the passengers
involved (in case of accidents)," he said, noting that in the case
of licensed taxi drivers, both the vehicles and drivers have to
meet standards and benchmarks.
Under the Road Traffic Act, it is illegal to use, rent or
hire out a private car to convey passengers for reward. Offenders
could face up to six months in jail, be fined up to $3,000 and have
their vehicles forfeited. For not having valid insurance, drivers
would be disqualified from driving for a year, and could be jailed
for up to three months and fined a maximum of $1,000.
Mr Ang, an Ang Mo Kio GRC MP, raised this issue in Parliament
recently. He told The Straits Times the Government should find a
way to legitimise such services.
"My purpose is not to advocate (enforcement); these people need to
make a living too. The Government should find a way to legitimise
them so they would be able to operate on a level playing field
(with taxis)," he said.
