Last option jobs means nobody wants, right? Consider the
following stats:
1. There are about 45,000 active taxi drivers.
2. There are more than 90,000 TDVL holders. Although it could be
argued that half of these people hold the licence precisely because
it could be their last choice option, then why did they choose taxi
licence? Why not go for the bus driver's licence, or other class 4
or 5 licences?
3. Every year, more than 9,000 people apply to take the TDVL
course, which represents an increase of some 30% over the last 3
years. And this number is expected to rise in the future.
4. LTA has increased the minimum fleet size for an operator by
100%, from 400 to 800. They must be quite confident that there will
be demand for this increase from the TDs.
The minimum requirement is
an O or N level pass in English. This has raised the bar somewhat.
There are quite a number of people who simply could not pass the
exams despite numerous attempts. They make many attempts to retake
the exams, paying for each retest. They can easily be a security
guard or a cleaning supervisor or a bus driver. There are many
other options for these people, but why die die want to be a
TD?
I dun think all 45,000 active TDs are desperados. The huge
numbers hardly suggest that it is a last option job.
