http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/taxi-availability/1350352.html
SINGAPORE: Taxi booking apps have helped passengers find taxis, complementing the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) push for more taxis to be on the roads, which it has done with the introduction of availability standards.
The standards are set to be reviewed next year, and the National Taxi Association has urged the LTA not to raise them or even consider lowering them.
The LTA told Channel NewsAsia that even though taxi apps are one way to match supply and demand for taxis, it is still dependent on the taxis being on the roads to accept such bookings. Hence taxi availability standards are still important. The LTA said it is reviewing the impact of third-party apps on the taxi industry and how it may benefit taxi drivers and commuters.
Taxi availability standards were introduced last year. During peak periods, taxi operators need to have at least 80 per cent of their fleet on the roads.
Since the implementation of the standards, the percentage of taxis on the roads during peak periods has increased - from 82 per cent in 2012 to 87 per cent in the first five months of this year.
More taxis are also being utilised - from 65 per cent to 68 per cent over the same period. This means more taxis are plying the roads, and more commuters are using them. The National Taxi Association attributed this to the growth in the use of third-party taxi apps on smartphones.
National Taxi Association executive adviser Ang Hin Kee said: "Have more commuters been able to get a cab during peak hours? Are more taxis plying the roads during peak hours? If, already we are achieving that, then I think the (taxi availability) indicators can stay as they are or be adjusted downwards."
"You cannot ignore the fact that the apps have been a very effective way of matching demand and supply. We should welcome the fact that there are such tools, and therefore you don't have to use a very crude measure of availability indicators as it is today. We should welcome and be happy with the apps that are helping us meet the requirements," added Mr Ang.
The Association has been matching hirers and relief drivers to help cabbies meet the taxi availability standards. Under existing standards, taxi operators have to ensure 80 per cent of drivers clock at least 250 kilometres every day. Some drivers still have difficulties meeting the standards.
Premier taxi driver Foo Chi Yong said: "In the city, sometimes when you go for call bookings, you hardly travel any distance, and some of the drivers really can't make the 250km. So, it becomes a pressure for us and it will affect our livelihood and, of course, our driving."
Third-party taxi apps like GrabTaxi have helped cabbies get more passengers and helped passengers get a taxi quickly. "It's really useful, it takes no time to get a taxi anywhere, and anytime. I do use it a lot," said commuter Tan Thai Meng.
GrabTaxi said call booking numbers have been increasing twofold every month since it launched the app last October. GrabTaxi's general manager Lim Kell Jay said: "Looking at the trend of technology, the proliferation of smartphones, more and more people are going to do stuff on their phones."
"Our goal is to one day make it so easy and so seamless for passengers to book a taxi through their phones - in the comfort of the homes, their workplace, in the restaurant - that there is really no need for them to be on the streets and hail a taxi anymore, or even call the call centre," added Mr Lim.
Since the implementation of the standards, the percentage of taxis on the roads during peak periods has increased - from 82 per cent in 2012 to 87 per cent in the first five months of this year.
More taxis are also being utilised - from 65 per cent to 68 per cent over the same period.
The above indicate that about 17-19 per cent of the available taxi cannot find pax.
As Jun 2014, total no, of taxi in Singapore is 27,865. 19% of 27,865 approx 5294.
LTA or NTA know the reason why?
Originally posted by uaskforit:He was alone inside a taxi travelling from TOA Payoh to City Hall.
5 min before reaching destination,called his wife giving particulars of the taxi nr,colour and co.
On arrival,he told taxi uncle not to stop meter,let it run,he alighted,his wife boarded the same taxi going back to TP.
If uncle obliged,it means he was robbed of start up fares & cbd charges.
Will LTA & taxi co take action on this poor uncle for refusing to take pax order,that is to say,stop meter,restart taximeter, and also charge cbd ?
Pax alight at city hall. Trip end. Another pax, another trip. it is crystal clear. Pax pay u salary, can remote control u? If u dont know wat is yr rights, nobody can help u.
Originally posted by bowah:Why?
Let be frank
LTA are pro paxs
NTA are pro Taxi companiesWho care if you can find pax or not?
If LTA is able to satisfy pax (aka the public) with lesser complain of no taxis, you think they care about you got pax or not?
If NTA is able to satisfy Taxis companies (aka Hirer’s Bosses) so as to get higher sponsorship from them, you think NTA care about your got pax or not?
It is not about who care who. If they do not understand the problem, how to solve it?Just looking at number, will it work?
Originally posted by bowah:Look, to care will dive into a very complex issue….and no insitutions, be it govt, cab companies or NTA , who would want to put their head on the chopping board?
It is better to meet, dine and wine than to make enemy..tio bo?
The initiatives is to set up a committee consist of these 3 parties’ representatives, make recommendation and submit for approval. They do set up such committee, but end up having retreat in korea, japan and china, dine and wine…end up talking more about AVA jap girl, Koreabo and china doll than about Taxis driving issues.
Let me just surface you one item proposed by taxi companies…
“In this committee, we would like to propose the entry of Permanent Residents into taxi trade/ driving base on this few reasons…aging population/driver…afluent youngs…and so on….”
How are you going to oppose it?
“Yes, 17 to 19% cabbies cannot get pax” statistic also shown that.. these group did not drive much and were below the 250km benchmark, furthermore, off the record, some cabbies use cab for other purposes, can Taxi companies apprehend them and not keep asking for PR into the taxi trade”
statistic is not a true reflection of supply and demand.
supply and demand mis-match happen at some specific locations and specifc period. There are factors/reasons why it happen but is not reflected in the statistic.
TD and his/her family/friend are also public They can also engage taxi service. It is not wrong that cabllies use a cab for their own purpose cause they can engage a taxi service. However, the taxi needs to be in HIRED status during the period to indicate that it is utilize.
aging population means more supply of ppl become TD which has no career path.
as TD income is still better than many other jobs, we are seeing a trend younger driver become TD.
New citizen which suppose to be foreign talent also become TD.
Therefore, there already more than sufficent supply of talented ppl for TD.
How allowing PR in traxi trade will address the supply and demand issue?
Where is the justification to include PR in taxi trade?
On the 250km benchmark per day. if a TD is using the taxi to earn a living, this is not an issue.
Peak hour of course not enough taxi lah. KPKB SMLJ. Off peak no pax that time we queue AP one hour tio Pasir Ris we KPKB to who? LTA?
Originally posted by hammerhammer8888:Peak hour of course not enough taxi lah. KPKB SMLJ. Off peak no pax that time we queue AP one hour tio Pasir Ris we KPKB to who? LTA?
If this is not acceptable to you. You may quit.. Many other ppl are willing to take over. including PR. pax can kpkb but not TD.
Originally posted by peterpan212:
If this is not acceptable to you. You may quit.. Many other ppl are willing to take over. including PR. pax can kpkb but not TD.
Kong smlj? Since when I says its not acceptable? By the way why TD cannot kpkb? Anyway I dun kpkb because I only drive when demand more then supply. Earn enough I let them rot. Understand.
Ya please let PR drive taxi and hope your love ones get rob and rape and left to rot by PR TD.....Song Bo...