Taxi companies’ fleet growth will now be subject to them having
met certain conditions, following changes to the Road Traffic
(Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament on Monday.
The growth will still be capped at the current 2 per cent that
has been in place since last year when the framework was
introduced. But from January, the maximum number of new licences
issued by the Land Transport Authority will be linked to the
companies fulfilling minimum standards relating to taxi
availability during peak hours, and on the roads in general.
Mr Ang Hin Kee (Ang Mo Kio GRC), one of
two MPs who rose to speak on the Bill’s amendments, pointed out
that there were concerns that operators were “fully passing on the
taxi availability framework to taxi drivers”.
“For drivers who are unable to meet this standard, they may have
their hiring agreement terminated or penalties imposed by the
operator,” said Mr Ang, an adviser to the National Taxi
Association. “
Taxi hirers are under immense pressure and many struggle to look
for relief drivers to assist them.” Responding, Transport Minister
Lui Tuck Yew said taxi companies too had a role in helping their
drivers meet the standards.
Seem like our toad minister talk cock sing song only
