Private limousine services will not be regulated: Lui
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Private limousine services will not be regulated: Lui
Uber, a third-party taxi booking app in Singapore. Photo: Reuters(Page 1 of 2) - NEXT PAGE | SINGLE PAGESINGAPORE – Private chauffeured services are not taxis, but are becoming increasingly available via third-party taxi booking apps.
And the fact that the law covering the emergence of this new technology in the taxi landscape will not be regulating private limousine services booked via such apps just yet was cause for concern among Members of Parliament (MPs) debating the legislation yesterday.
For now, operators must make it clear upfront that these are not taxi services, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said as the Third-Party Taxi Booking Service Providers Bill was approved by Parliament.
For instance, an operator such as Uber has the Uber Taxi app and, for budget limo hires, the UberX app.
But with some commuters caught unaware by the expensive charges levied for these services, and taxi drivers complaining about private drivers at taxi stands, three of the four MPs who spoke during the debate felt that more should be done.
In response, Mr Lui stressed that taxi services and chauffeured vehicle services remained two distinct industries, “even though the line today is no longer as clear as it was before”.
He noted that chauffeured vehicle services are not new: People have used these for corporate trips or special occasions such as weddings.
“But what’s different today is that the technology has made these services much more easily accessible and easier in terms of matching passengers to chauffeured cars more seamlessly, just like how technology has improved the matching of taxis to commuters,” he said.
Still, Mr Lui acknowledged the concerns and pointed to existing laws that require such services to be pre-booked.
Also, commuters cannot hail them in the streets, and private cars cannot be used for chauffeured services.
With the new regulations, a third-party taxi booking service provider must distinguish its various services through distinct icons and by highlighting the different charges clearly and up front to customers.
If commuters request for taxis, the service providers must despatch licensed taxis with drivers who hold valid vocational licences.
MP Ang Hin Kee (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who is also executive adviser of the National Taxi Association, said: “It’s important that education efforts be enhanced and enforcements be undertaken so that there is no confusion among commuters, taxi drivers and these drivers as to what the regulations relating to these two different types of transport services are.”
Mr Lui noted that the Land Transport Authority has been stepping up checks, for instance, on one-man private operators waiting at taxi stands.
MP Seng Han Thong (Ang Mo Kio GRC) suggested that private limo drivers must hold a vocational licence or certificate to better safeguard commuters’ interests.
In reply, Mr Lui said the authorities will monitor the need to regulate these drivers, but that the key is now to encourage training and improve the drivers’ competencies.
Among other issues put forth, Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) Lina Chiam questioned the need for regulations that deviate from free market principles, saying that this can be best decided by users.
Fellow NCMP Gerald Giam asked why the authorities will issue licences based on demand for third-party bookings instead of letting potential entrants make their own assessments.
Mr Lui, who described the Bill as a “light-touch approach”, agreed that potential entrants must still assess the market.
But with cabbies worried about not receiving prompt payment of fares from operators, the latter have to be held financially liable so drivers are treated fairly.
He said: “It’s no good for the taxi industry if we just let in any and every applicant, even though it may be below the threshold to enter the market.”
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Wahahaha so tis is called regulate???
After mths of waiting they come up wit tis answer???
Even a commoner can answer tis in a min wat chicken feet la
Clap Clap Clap wahaha
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That means many people are out of work, or are unable to get decent salary. It also means undercover CID, CNB, LTA staff are amongst the Uber and Grab drivers.
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This is not the news lah. Dated May, old news, why dig out?
Still waiting for the real news.
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But likely to let UberC stay lah. Just wayang a bit of license and requirement here & there.
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Originally posted by luckycabby:
This is not the news lah. Dated May, old news, why dig out?
Still waiting for the real news.
I click on the next page link
The today newspaper date put 15 July leh
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Today I was waiting for my client at this popular spot but out of town type location......
While waiting at main entrance, I notice taxi stand which is just beside, long queue of pax.....
Not a single taxi on sight.....
Some start to call a cab.....
I watching with amaze, cab that come in mostly on call, some busy sign obviously GT type of call......
For a full 20min, not a single empty available cab come in.....
Than notice 2 private car come in, picking up pax from TS, so roughly I know is Uberx or GC ba, hahaha.....
Time was 515pm, when I start watching, my client was super late.....
Until 559pm, totally no empty cab come in, queue getting shorter and shorter with most calling cab or Uberx......
Than just like my good old times, clock strike 6pm, all green hornet started one by one come in.....
Within min, all pax gone.....
Slowly, taxi queue getting longer and longer, my client finally arrive, apologies to me can't get a cab, my heart was laughing......
Regulate? Regulate LJ la......
, if you understand what I think for this encounter..... -
人为财æ»ï¼Œé¸Ÿä¸ºå�ƒæ». This is very common lah, now then you realise ar??
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Originally posted by bowah:
人为财æ»ï¼Œé¸Ÿä¸ºå�ƒæ».
This is very common lah, now then you realise ar??
Correct lor, regulate smlj?.....
Goberment tell you all go fight until die suah......
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Sir, let said you got a client willing to pay you 5% of sale price and another only 2% of sale price, and that 5% client ask you to wait till 6pm, the other said, can see him now but he is in the west, I think you will tell the 2% off right? This is what I mean by 人为财æ»ï¼Œé¸Ÿä¸ºå�ƒæ», it human nature. Moreover, why paxs like to Q at 5 to 6pm, super long Q, they also Q, same theory apply mah. All waiting for a gong kia $30net driver like to me to gum gum passby there to pick them up lor..tio bo
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I always believe, 1 finger point at something, there's always 4 fingers pointing back at ourselves......
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Use thumb more nicer mah, finger pointing is rude in the industrial of sale, and you, a property agent still point finger??? must learn hor
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hello guys, sign up for premier membership
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Diu Diu Diu...phuixxx
