TAXIS (Shortage during Chinese New Year holidays)

Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour whether he is aware that only a few taxis were on the road on Chinese New Year and that some of them even failed to stop when flagged down and if he will look into the matter.

The Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is aware that there were fewer taxis plying on the road during the last Chinese New Year holidays. This artificial shortage is not unexpected as 96% of our 10,714 taxis are owned by individuals and 82% of the 32,275 taxi drivers are Chinese. Like other Chinese, they would like to celebrate this special festive season with their families and visiting relatives. My Ministry has, however, ensured that adequate bus services were provided and charging the usual bus fares during the festive season.

A proposal to allow taxi drivers to levy a $1 surcharge during the Chinese New Year holidays is being considered by the Taxi Advisory Committee. However, this proposal requires careful study as it may set a precedent for requests of surcharges on other festive occasions. Besides, the $1 surcharge may not solve the taxi shortage problem during the Chinese New Year holidays.

The Hon. Member has also mentioned that some taxis failed to stop when flagged. ROV receives such complaints from time to time. Taxi drivers are obliged to stop when flagged unless they have passengers in their taxis or a 'NOT FOR HIRE' sign has been displayed. However, sometimes taxi drivers did not stop because they did not notice that there were commuters by the roadside flagging for their taxis as they need also to pay attention to traffic conditions on the road. Therefore, complaints of this nature need to be carefully investigated by ROV.