$7 million E-Scooter Trade-in Grant to Help Food Delivery Riders Switch to Alternative Modes of Transport

1.     Singaporeans have overwhelmingly welcomed the decision to prohibit the use of e-scooters on footpaths. This allows pedestrians to feel safe again when using the footpaths. We are aware that the prohibition will affect food delivery riders who use e-scooters and have been working with the food delivery companies (Grab, Deliveroo and Foodpanda) to mitigate the impact. While the majority of food delivery riders use other modes such as motorcycles and bicycles, about 7,000¹ of them used e-scooters. They have approached MOT, LTA and their Members of Parliament to express their concerns.

2.     We have taken a whole of Singapore approach to help these riders tide over this transition period. Together with NTUC, MOM, MSF, and the food delivery companies, MOT and LTA have formulated a Transition Assistance Package (TAP) to provide comprehensive assistance to the affected riders. The Package comprises three components:

3.     First, for those riders who intend to stay on in this job, the Government and the three major food delivery companies have set up a $7 million e-scooter Trade-in Grant (eTG), to provide funding assistance for the affected food delivery riders to switch to bicycles, Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs) or Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs). Under this scheme, LTA will match dollar-for-dollar the food delivery companies’ funding support for their food delivery riders who trade in their existing e-scooters for alternative LTA-approved devices – and each rider will receive an eTG of up to $1,000 for PABs or $600 for bicycle. For delivery riders with mobility difficulties who are eligible to use PMAs and wish to continue working for their delivery company, they too will receive an eTG of up to $1,000. The eTG scheme will be administered by the food delivery companies, which are also working with retailers to bulk purchase and bring down costs of these devices.

4.     To qualify for the eTG, the riders must be existing e-scooter food delivery riders as at 7 Nov 2019. They must surrender their e-scooters at disposal points located at Grab, Deliveroo and Foodpanda’s premises. Delivery riders who work for more than one company will only be eligible for one eTG disbursement. The eTG scheme will operate till 31 Dec 2019. Interested food delivery riders can approach their companies for more details.

5.     Second, for those riders who intend to consider other job options, NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) are already working with the three food delivery companies to provide career services and job search support under the Adapt and Grow initiative. Affected drivers will receive customised information on career events starting from next week. They can also contact WSG directly via hotline (68835885), or visit any of the five WSG’s Careers Connect and NTUC’s e2i centres for immediate assistance. For more information on career services and the locations of WSG’s Careers Connect or NTUC’s e2i centres, visit

www.wsg.gov.sg/career-services.html

. For more information on Adapt and Grow, visit

www.adaptandgrow.sg

.

6.     Third, some riders may have immediate financial difficulties. The Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) and ComCare schemes are available to provide temporary financial assistance. Riders may approach the nearest Social Service Office or their nearest PA Community Club for assistance.

7.     This decision to prohibit e-scooters from footpaths was a difficult one and arose because of many instances of irresponsible riding. Even as the delivery riders switch to other modes of transport, they should be mindful of safety both for themselves and other path and road users. They should strictly abide by the safety rules, including speed limits, so as not to cause unnecessary injury.

¹Based on the estimated total PMD delivery partners with Deliveroo, FoodPanda and Grab.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT