PIRATE TAXI-DRIVERS (Legalisation of status)

Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Communications whether he will take steps to legalise the status of pirate taxi-drivers if he thinks that those drivers are performing a necessary social function.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin): The question raised by the Member for Bukit Panjang is not a new one. On the 14th May, 1968, during the debate on the President's Speech, I mentioned that I was fully aware of the pirate taxi problem and the economic effects on the bus and taxi operators if the pirate taxis were to be legalised. I had then also stated that to legalise pirate taxis is equivalent to suggesting the legalisation of smuggling activities. I have not changed my view since.

I agree that pirate taxis, though running illegally, are performing a form of social function in providing an element of public transport service. But they are performing this function at the expense of the law-abiding licensed taxis and the bus companies. They are able to operate at a much lower cost because they pay less tax, incur very little maintenance expenditure and pay no insurance cover for passenger liability. Thus, they offer an unhealthy type of competition to the licensed operators which is harmful to our long-term planning for an improved public transport service in Singapore.

In August last year, I established a Transport Advisory Board with the objective of improving the present inadequacy of public transport services and am glad to say that modest progress has been achieved. To date, there has been an increase of 80 new buses operating on the road and more new buses are expected in the near future. As the adequacy and efficiency of the public transport services improve, there should be a consequent decrease in the number of pirate taxis running on the road.

Mr P. Selvadurai (Bukit Panjang): Mr Speaker, Sir, as it is virtually impossible to get licensed taxis during peak traffic hours in Singapore, does the Minister not think that an easy way of solving this problem would be to allow more licensed taxis to ply on the roads?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: I can assure the Member for Bukit Panjang that this matter is under serious consideration by the Transport Advisory Board, I do not think there is any easy way out. We hope to find a reasonable solution. May I, therefore, ask him to be patient enough to wait for the recommendations to be considered by me at a later stage?

Mr Seah Mui Kok (Bukit Ho Swee): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister for Communications say how many of the 80 new buses belong to the Singapore Traction Company?

Mr Speaker: Order. That is not a supplementary question which arises out of the original question.