http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/taxi-availability/1350352.html
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SINGAPORE: Taxi booking apps have helped passengers find taxis,
complementing the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) push for more
taxis to be on the roads, which it has done with the introduction
of availability standards.
The standards are set to be reviewed next year, and the National
Taxi Association has urged the LTA not to raise them or even
consider lowering them.
The LTA told Channel NewsAsia that even though taxi apps are one
way to match supply and demand for taxis, it is still dependent on
the taxis being on the roads to accept such bookings. Hence taxi
availability standards are still important. The LTA said it is
reviewing the impact of third-party apps on the taxi industry and
how it may benefit taxi drivers and commuters.
Taxi availability standards were introduced last year. During
peak periods, taxi operators need to have at least 80 per cent of
their fleet on the roads.
Since the implementation of the standards, the percentage of
taxis on the roads during peak periods has increased - from 82 per
cent in 2012 to 87 per cent in the first five months of this
year.
More taxis are also being utilised - from 65 per cent to 68 per
cent over the same period. This means more taxis are plying the
roads, and more commuters are using them. The National Taxi
Association attributed this to the growth in the use of third-party
taxi apps on smartphones.
National Taxi Association executive adviser Ang Hin Kee said:
"Have more commuters been able to get a cab during peak hours? Are
more taxis plying the roads during peak hours? If, already we are
achieving that, then I think the (taxi availability) indicators can
stay as they are or be adjusted downwards."
"You cannot ignore the fact that the apps have been a very
effective way of matching demand and supply. We should welcome the
fact that there are such tools, and therefore you don't have to use
a very crude measure of availability indicators as it is today. We
should welcome and be happy with the apps that are helping us meet
the requirements," added Mr Ang.
The Association has been matching hirers and relief drivers to
help cabbies meet the taxi availability standards. Under existing
standards, taxi operators have to ensure 80 per cent of drivers
clock at least 250 kilometres every day. Some drivers still have
difficulties meeting the standards.
Premier taxi driver Foo Chi Yong said: "In the city, sometimes
when you go for call bookings, you hardly travel any distance, and
some of the drivers really can't make the 250km. So, it becomes a
pressure for us and it will affect our livelihood and, of course,
our driving."
Third-party taxi apps like GrabTaxi have helped cabbies get more
passengers and helped passengers get a taxi quickly. "It's really
useful, it takes no time to get a taxi anywhere, and anytime. I do
use it a lot," said commuter Tan Thai Meng.
GrabTaxi said call booking numbers have been increasing twofold
every month since it launched the app last October. GrabTaxi's
general manager Lim Kell Jay said: "Looking at the trend of
technology, the proliferation of smartphones, more and more people
are going to do stuff on their phones."
"Our goal is to one day make it so easy and so seamless for
passengers to book a taxi through their phones - in the comfort of
the homes, their workplace, in the restaurant - that there is
really no need for them to be on the streets and hail a taxi
anymore, or even call the call centre," added Mr Lim.