SINGAPORE — From Monday (June 14), commuters will be able to board taxis and private-hire cars in groups of up to five.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Friday that it was lifting the two-passenger limit in line with the relaxation of safe distancing measures that will take place from June 14.

The Government's Covid-19 task force announced on Thursday that the maximum size of social gatherings and the number of distinct visitors to households in a day will be increased to five from the current two from June 14, as cases of community transmission have been going down.

It remains mandatory for drivers and passengers to wear masks at all times, LTA said.

“Taxi and private-hire car drivers should decline to ferry passengers who do not wear masks.” 

Paid carpooling services booked through ride-hailing platforms may also resume from June 14.

However, paid carpooling trips arranged through informal platforms such as messaging application Telegram remain illegal.

Carpooling trips between families and friends that do not involve payment are permitted, as long as there are not more than five people.

Taxi drivers, private-hire drivers and passengers are also encouraged to use their TraceTogether token or mobile application to facilitate contact tracing efforts.

“Early detection of close contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases will help to protect drivers, passengers and their loved ones, and prevent further spread in the community,” LTA said.