Turns out somebody isn’t very happy with the ways things are turning out for private hire vehicles a.k.a GrabCar or Uber drivers.
ComfortDelGro has recently sent out messages to their cab drivers asking them to report (with photo) to their Whatsapp number if they spot any illegal pickup at designated taxi stands. The taxi company will then assist to forward the report to LTA.
Here’s the actual message:
According to OneMotoring website, drivers will be subjected to a $50 fine for illegally stopping/parking a private car at a taxi stand. Subsequent offences within a 12-month period will increase the fine to $80. That’s equivalent to more than a handful worth of trips gone down the drain if private hirers are caught with the fine.
Although most drivers have in fact known about these offences, it is usually passengers who didn’t know better and request drivers to pick them up at taxi stands instead of the drop-off points. Now that ComfortDelGro has conveniently provided a channel for disgruntled cab drivers to make a legit complaint, it’s up to Grab and Uber to find a way to educate or prevent riders from choosing taxi stands as a pickup location.
Or at least until LTA revises the regulations.
Have friends or family members whose livelihood depends on driving people around Singapore? You should probably tell them to stay far far away from taxi stands.