COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI DRIVERS (Particulars)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications and Information how many complaints against taxi drivers were received from foreign visitors and local commuters separately by the Registrar of Vehicles in 1985, 1986 and 1987; what were the types of complaints; and what disciplinary actions were taken against the guilty ones.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Minister.

The Registrar of Vehicles (ROV) received 931, 684 and 878 complaints against taxi drivers for 1985, 1986 and 1987 respectively. On average, about 12% of complaints originated from foreigners. Of the total number of complaints, about one-third was for overcharging by taxi drivers, one-fifth for misconduct, such as rudeness, and one-tenth each against taxi drivers who refuse to let out their taxis for hire or who take a longer route.

All these complaints were carefully investigated by the ROV. Where justified, various disciplinary actions were taken against the errant taxi drivers, depending on the severity of their offences. Most of the drivers were counselled, others were issued with written warnings, fined, charged in court, or had their vocational licences suspended or revoked.