REVIEW OF TAXI FARES (Plans)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for Communications and Information if there are plans to review the taxi fare structure, in view of the drastic reduction in world oil prices.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Speaker, Sir, since June last year, taxi fares have been determined by taxi drivers through their companies and associations. So far, my Ministry has not received any request from taxi organizations to change the fare structure.

Sir, the Member for Cairnhill may be interested to note that the decrease in diesel pump price this year is about 15 cents per litre. The average fuel consumption is about 10 km per litre. For an average trip of about 6 km, that works out to a saving of 9.1 cents for the taxi driver.

Mr Chng Hee Kok: Sir, will the Minister agree to allow taxi drivers to set their own rates without reference to the Registry of Vehicles?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, the Ministry will allow the taxi drivers to set their fares. But we have not received any request so far.

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong (Cairnhill): Sir, the Minister has mentioned that he has not received any request from taxi drivers for fare increases. Will he consider such a request from passengers?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, I think it must be obvious that commuters will always ask for decreases in taxi fares. But in this particular case, the savings is relatively small.