STATUTORY LIMITATION ON TAXIS

Mr Lew Syn Pau asked the Minister for Communications and Information if he will consider extending the 7-year statutory lifespan of taxis.

Mr Lew Syn Pau (Tanglin): Sir, in asking Question No.3, may I also declare my interest in this subject.

The Minister for Communications and Information (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Mr Speaker, Sir, taxis are used very intensively for many hours on our roads each day. Therefore, for the safety and convenience of taxi commuters as well as other road users, they should be roadworthy and well-maintained.

The annual mileage clocked by a taxi is on the average about 138,000 km, that is seven times that of an average car which is about 19,000 km per year. In other words, a 7-year old taxi would have covered as much mileage as a car in its 50th year and would be subjected to corresponding wear and tear on parts that are not replaced. The percentage of 3-year old taxis which pass their statutory inspections at first inspection is 67%. That is about the same as that for 9-year old private cars. Similarly, the passing rate for taxis in their sixth year is much lower than that of cars much older than 10 years old. In view of that, the Government does not intend to extend the 7-year statutory limitation on taxis.