New taxi availability standards benefit commuters Posted:10
February20131710hrs
SINGAPORE: The National Taxi Association said on
Sunday that the minimum standards for taxi availability, which
kicked in this year, have resulted in shorter waiting times for
commuters in the city area.
Its advisor, Ang Hin Kee, said freeing up restrictions within
the Central Business District have meant shorter queues at taxi
stands.
However, he added that the new guidelines have also led to some
concerns among cabbies that they would have to bear penalties
imposedon operators for not meeting these standards.
Mr Ang gave the update after meeting some 600 taxi drivers at
Changi Airport on Sunday morning.
this one really talk cock sing song...
Since January,cab companies have to meet new standards for taxi
availability.
They include requiring 70 per cent of all taxis per cab company
to reach a minimum daily mileage of 250 kilometres. This translates
to about eight to nine hours on the road per day, five days a
week.
Cab companies will also need to ensure that 70 per cent of their
entire fleet are on the roads during the morning and evening peak
periods.
The bars will be raised to 80 per cent next year and 85 per cent
by 2015for both the minimum daily mileage and peak hour
availability.
Based on these indicators, authorities will evaluate whether to
allow the taxi companies to expand their fleet.
Mr Ang said some drivers experienced empty cruising in order to
fulfil the indicators because there are not many relief drivers
available.
He added that elderly drivers have also expressed some pressure
in meeting the taxi availability indicators.
Mr Ang said these drivers would need time to re-adjust their
driving habits.
And even as the Land Transport Authority reviews the scheme in
six months, Mr Ang said more can be done to enhance the
availability of relief drivers.
He added: “That is to encourage all new taxi licence holders,
those who have never driven before, who just recently got their
license, that they should serve as a relief driver for at least
ayear or two.
“That would provide them both the experience and lessen their
pressure from having to hire avehicle on their own. On the other
(hand), it will also increase taxi availability because each cab
will now certainly find it easier to have two drivers to ply the
roads.”
- CNA/al
