Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Illegal Carpooling Services Caught in Past Two Years and Whether Facilitation of Such Services on Online Platforms is an Offence

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what is the number of cases of illegal carpooling services that have been caught in the past two years; and 

b.     whether the Ministry considers those who have facilitated in arranging for such illegal services on online platforms to be an offence.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     Commercial car-pooling services are prohibited during periods of tightened safe management measures such as the current Stabilisation Phase. Outside of these periods, drivers without vocational licences are allowed to provide commercial car-pooling services through licenced car-pool platforms, such as Grab and Ryde. The platform operators are required to ensure that drivers do not conduct more than two car-pool trips a day, and that fares are charged on a cost recovery basis.

2.     It is illegal for these drivers to offer commercial car-pooling services through online communications platforms such as the Telegram app. The LTA has caught five drivers for providing illegal car-pooling services in the past two years. Members of the public may report persons who have conducted or facilitated illegal car-pooling activities to the LTA for investigation.