TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCES (Issue to Government and Statutory Board employees)

Encik Zulkifli bin Mohammed: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence (a) if he is aware that taxi driver's vocational licences have been issued to employees of Government and statutory boards; (b) what is the number of licences issued to this group of employees as at 21st March, 1985; and (c) what action will be taken to rectify this anomaly in order for the Registry of Vehicles to be seen as according fair treatment to those rejected and potential applicants who are Government or statutory board employees.

Encik Yatiman Yusof (Kampong Kembangan): Question No. 8, Sir.

The Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, taxi driver's vocational licences are issued to enable holders to drive taxis for a living. In the past, because of limited training resources and an overwhelming number of applicants, it was necessary for the ROV to train only those who were most likely to drive taxis after being issued with taxi driver's vocational licences. Therefore, starting from 1979, the ROV ceased accepting applications from Government employees as they are not allowed to take on a second job. Those who had previously been issued with taxi driver's vocational licences were allowed to retain their licences.

We do not know the number of taxi drivers who are currently employees of Government and statutory boards as the ROV does not keep a separate record for this particular group of taxi drivers.

Since January 1985, in a move towards greater privatization, the Ministry has authorized NTUC Comfort and the Singapore Commuters Pte Ltd to conduct training courses for taxi drivers in order to accelerate the training of taxi drivers. Applications are currently open to anyone who meets the basic requirements for the licence.