MR TAN Hee
Jian ("Cut ERP rate for taxis"; last Wednesday) suggested that the
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rate for taxis be cut to encourage
more cabs to enter the Central Business District (CBD).
The
objective of ERP is to manage congestion so traffic remains
smooth-flowing. Taxis are subject to ERP because they, like all
other vehicles, occupy road space and contribute to
congestion.
To
encourage cabs to enter the CBD, taxi companies have implemented a
city area surcharge that is payable on trips originating from
within the CBD, from Monday to Saturday during the peak periods
between 5pm and midnight.
As for
kerbside pick-ups, we have relaxed the CBD taxi rule to make it
easier for cabbies to pick up and drop off passengers along all
roads within the CBD, except those with bus lanes during bus lane
operation hours and specific roads that are dangerous for all
vehicles to stop at any time.
Mr Tan also
asked about taxi availability standards, the aim of which is to
increase fleet utilisation. These standards are imposed on cab
companies based on a proportion of the taxi fleet, and not on
driver numbers, and were derived after extensive consultation with
the industry.
A balanced
and graduated approach has been taken to achieve improvements for
commuters while ensuring that the taxi industry is able to transit
to the new standards.
Currently,
about 80 per cent of the total taxi fleet is able to achieve
mileage of more than 250km a day. On average, if a single-shift
taxi driver drives about eight hours a day, he needs to cover only
about 30km every hour.
Drivers can
consider engaging relief drivers if they feel they are unable to
meet these requirements on their own. They can use the newly
launched online matching portal atwww.onemotoring.com.sg/taxi_matching/ to
look for relief drivers and hirers, and vice
versa.
Helen Lim (Ms)
Director, Media Relations
Land Transport Authority
