SINGAPORE — Authorities will be studying how to simplify the taxi
fare structure in Singapore, which currently differs from company
to company, Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo said in
Parliament today (Nov 12).
“We recognise that the current taxi fare structure is complex and
confusing for commuter,” Ms Teo said.
She added that ultimately, the taxi fare structure should be one
that best serves commuters’ interests.
“LTA will work with the Public Transport Council (PTC) and the taxi
companies to study if and how it could be made simpler and more
easily comparable across different taxi companies, “said Mrs
Teo.
The impact on taxi drivers will also be considered, said Ms Teo,
who was responding to parliamentary questions by Member of
Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah, Liang Eng Hwa, and MP for
Mountbatten Lim Biow Chuan.
Both MPs had expressed concern on the complexity of the current
taxi fare system and questioned if the current fare structure met
the needs of commuters.
Mrs Teo explained that since taxi fares were deregulated in
September 1998, taxi companies are allowed to set their own fares
so that they can be more responsive to market conditions.
The taxi fare structure has since evolved with different surcharges
to better match taxi supply with demand by giving incentives to
taxi drivers to serve locations and time periods where demand is
high, said Mrs Teo.
Taxi companies are required to publicise fare revisions at least
one week in advance in the media and on their websites. Taxi fare
information is also available on taxi stand information panels, on
the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and[email protected] websites,
and on fare decals in taxis.
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