TAXIS AND TAXI-DRIVERS (Situation report)

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi asked the Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence what is the latest situation on taxis and taxi-drivers with regard to (i) taxi-drivers' earnings; (ii) commuters' complaints; and (iii) the number of taxis on the road.

The Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Sir, surveys by ROV, NTUC Comfort and taxi companies of some 600 single-shift and 1,400 two-shift taxis for the month of June 1985 showed that taxi drivers were earning more than before the fare adjustments in April. Taxis driven for one shift showed an average increase in fare collection of more than $180 a month; while taxis driven for two shifts showed an average increase of more than $360 a month.

ROV received a total of 76 complaints in June 1985. This is 32% less than the monthly average of 112 complaints over the last year.

There are about 11,200 taxis on the road. The total number of taxi licences issued by ROV remains the same as at last year, at about 11,600. The Ministry has no intention of reducing this number.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi (Siglap): Can the hon. Minister tell us the nature of these complaints, please?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, the complaints varied from misconduct to over-charging, to refusal to let out taxis, to failure on the part of taxi drivers to use meters, and so forth. There is not any one fixed category.

Dr Augustine Tan: Is the Hon. Minister aware of the continuing anxiety on the part of taxi drivers about the impending increase in diesel tax?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, would the Minister tell us how many hours does a shift comprise in the calculation of the Registry of Vehicles?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is no fixed number of hours per shift. When taxi drivers bring their taxis in to have their meters read, they will indicate whether they are driving on one shift or two shifts.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Is the Minister aware that taxi drivers have to drive far longer hours to earn what they were earning before the 1st April?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the data available to the ROV and the taxi companies do not support that hypothesis.

Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, since the Minister is aware of the anxiety of the taxi drivers over the diesel tax, what is he going to do about it?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have mentioned in the House previously that we will monitor the situation and closer to October we will have an overall picture, and then make a final decision.

Mr Tang See Chim: Sir, is he not aware that with this anxiety hanging over the heads of taxi drivers it is really not fair for him to take his own sweet time?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, since April the collection of taxi drivers has been improving. The situation has not stabilized. New fares were introduced in June, and that was only about a month ago. Therefore, we would like to be in a position where more data are available before a final decision is taken.

Dr Augustine Tan: The question, Sir, is whether the Hon. Minister is prepared to be flexible, should the situation turn out to be such as not to enable the taxi drivers to pay all the tax that he wants to receive.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Finance who is responsible for this has indicated that he will be flexible.