SINGAPORE — As the popularity of third-party ride-booking applications and their private-hire car drivers soars, the National Taxi Association (NTA) wants such drivers to be subject to the same certification and qualification requirements as cabbies. 

Cabbies, for instance, have to undergo medical and criminal background checks before progressing on to a 60-hour Taxi Driving Vocational Licence Course. 

And even after passing, they have to undergo regular checks by the authorities to ensure that their vocational and driving licences are valid. Any flouting of these rules would result in penalties such as fines or suspension. 

In a letter to the Ministry of Transport today (Nov 16) on its recommendations for private-hire car services, the NTA said all service providers who provide “point-to-point transfer services serving the same consumer market should be similarly qualified and certified”. 

It also said: “These standards, that ensure the safety and security of the commuters, should not be compromised.”

Last month, Senior Minister of State for Transport Ng Chee Meng was tasked to consult cabbies and the general public on the use of these third-party apps, which include UberX and GrabCar, and craft a fair solution for all stakeholders. 

Since then, the NTA has conducted dialogue sessions with over 300 cabbies, and submitted its recommendations to Mr Ng over a coffee session today.
 
Noting that commuters’ safety and security were of “utmost importance”, the NTA said private-hire drivers should be subject to a clear accountability framework, and should have similar identification protocols as cabbies, such as displaying photo identification.
 
“For taxis, commuters can approach LTA or taxi operators directly for help or liability claims … whereas for existing private hire vehicle service providers, it is currently unclear as to who the commuters can make claims from: The app providers, car leasing company or drivers,” said Mr Ang Hin Kee, the NTA’s executive adviser.

Noting that taxi operators face compliance costs, the NTA also called for a review of the standards and cost structure for taxis. It pointed out that the shelf life of a taxi is capped at eight years, and taxi operators are not allowed to convert their vehicles for private use. 

Furthermore, taxi operators have to comply with a fixed schedule of charges approved by the LTA, but private hire drivers are able to “dynamically change” their pricing based on demand and supply, and this should be reviewed, the association said. 

The NTA also urged the LTA to recognise the effectiveness of third-party apps in determining service and availability standards, without falling back on “prescriptive, distorting and costly” statutory requirements. 

It pointed out that taxi companies have had to invest manpower and resources to ensure drivers meet taxi availability standards — driving up costs for cabbies — but commuters can provide direct feedback through reviews, and can also have greater access to taxi services through these apps.  

And while laws were passed in August to regulate third-party taxi booking service providers and ensure that taxi fare and bookings are transparent, there are no such regulations for private-hire vehicle service providers, said the NTA, urging the LTA to be consistent in regulating service providers catering to the same market.

In a Facebook post after meeting the drivers, Mr Ng, who will also meet private-hire drivers and commuters, said: “We already have a well-regulated taxi industry and improving the safety and quality of the private hire car industry can only be good for commuters, as they will now have more than just one option for their point-to-point travel needs.”

Commenting on the recommendations, GrabCar regional head Lim Kell Jay said the company is committed to commuter safety. Its fares are fixed and stated up front, and GrabCar drivers must have the correct licences and be commercially insured. It also has additional GrabCar Group Personal Accident insurance coverage for drivers and passengers, and inspects every car in its network. 

“This is part of our strict procedure to become a GrabCar driver, which includes background checks, driver training, medical checks for drivers above the age of 50, as well as drivers having to come to the registration office in person to register,” he said.

Uber South-east Asia general manager Chan Park said that as the dialogue progresses, it hopes third-party booking app stakeholders would be consulted, adding that Uber is committed to users’ safety and bringing greater efficiency to the transportation ecosystem.