Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) arrested 10 people posing as ride-hailing drivers at Changi Airport last 18 July. This recent arrest follows 22 people caught for the same crime a week prior.
A NEW CRIME
After an initial sting operation at Singapore’s Changi Airport, the LTA arrested a total of 10 motorists who were illegally operating a ride-hailing service. The operation revealed that the drivers were not only operating unlicensed but also used foreign-registered vehicles and provided services even going to Malaysia. Not only were they arrested, but their vehicles were impounded as well. The sting operation continues to this day, with a total of 104 drivers caught since 2022.
According to a Facebook post on their official account, the LTA received a tip about the illegal point-to-point service from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association. Notably, the association has sent tips even before the July incident for other transport-related illegal activities.
The previous incident from 11 July resulted in the arrest of 22 people committing the same crime from Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay. A similar incident occurred in June where both the LTA and Singaporean Tourism Board nabbed 8 motorists at Gardens by the Bay and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.
“It is illegal for Malaysia-registered private cars or PHCs to provide cross-border or ride-hail services within Singapore,” said a spokesperson from LTA. Offending vehicles will be fined up to SGD 3,000 (AUD 3,580) and/or sentenced to jail for 6 months.
CROSS-BORDER TAXIS
The city-state’s current fleet of accredited taxis are around 300 in total. Singaporean law states that taxis must obtain a Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSVL) from the LTA. Foreign-registered vehicles must also obtain this licence if they intend to provide services between Malaysia and Singapore.
For these border-crossing vehicles, the LTA requires that they must be registered with only either Singapore or Malaysia and must also obtain a license from Malaysia’s own Land Public Transport Agency and an ASEAN Public Service Vehicle Permit. Most importantly, Singapore-Malaysia taxis must use each country’s designated stops, namely Ban San Street terminal in Singapore and Larkin Sentral in Malaysia. However, if operating within their respective countries, the taxis may stop anywhere.
According to an LTA spokesperson, “This arrangement ensures that foreign taxis do not ply the roads illegally to provide point-to-point services outside their home country.”
“Foreign-registered vehicles providing illegal private-hire car services harm the livelihoods of our local taxi and private-hire car drivers,” added transport minister Sun Xueling.
Unlicensed vehicles not only lack the proper paperwork and insurance but pose a threat to unknowing passengers and existing licensed drivers. Due to this, Sun emphasised that the LTA will strengthen enforcement operations, including heavier fines or forfeiture of unlicensed private-hire vehicles.
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