Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Amy Khor to Parliamentary Question on Property Left in Public Service Vehicles

Mr Don Wee asked the Minister for Transport regarding rule 39(1) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors, Trishaw Riders and Passengers) Rules which requires drivers to ensure that no property is left inside their vehicle immediately before or at the end of a journey

a.      whether the rule is practicable considering simultaneous boarding and alighting of passengers and where items are small or left at blind spots; and

b.     whether the Ministry will consider amending this rule.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Transport

a.      what are the factors taken into account by LTA in its determination on whether to issue a taxi or private hire driver with a warning letter for failing to check for a passenger's belongings left behind in their car after a trip has ended; and

b.     what appeal avenues are available to drivers who receive such a letter

Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Amy Khor:

1.     The current requirement for point-to-point transport (P2P) drivers to check for items left behind by passengers at the end of every trip is a longstanding one under Rule 39(1) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors, Trishaw Riders and Passengers) Rules. It is meant to serve the interests of drivers, as it aims to avoid disputes when passengers leave belongings in their vehicles. However, recognising operational constraints, drivers are not expected to stop their vehicles and get out of their seats to check for items left behind by passengers. Instead, a quick visual scan from the driver’s seat will be sufficient. P2P drivers are taught this practice during their Vocational Licence training course. Passengers are also reminded to be responsible for their belongings when taking point-to-point trips. For example, some operators provide reminders to passengers at the end of trips through app notifications.

2.     I would like to assure members that the current rule is not meant to be punitive, but instead to encourage a good practice. LTA has only issued warnings in a few instances and has not imposed any financial penalties or demerit points on drivers for non-compliance. The warning recently issued to a driver for breaching this rule has been withdrawn, following appeals to LTA through the driver’s Member of Parliament and the National Taxi Association.

3.     LTA will take the opportunity to not only review how this best practice should be encouraged to protect the interests of both the drivers and their passengers, but also conduct a broader review of best practices for P2P drivers. LTA is thus working with tripartite partners – our P2P operators and the driver associations – to undertake this review, taking into consideration recent public feedback, and will share the outcome of the review when ready.