Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Statistics on Number of Taxi and Private-Hire Vehicle Drivers Diagnosed with COVID-19 To Date and Income and Welfare Support Provided to Help Affected Drivers

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     to date, how many taxi and private-hire vehicle drivers have been diagnosed with COVID-19; 

b.     in how many instances are their household members infected too; 

c.     what is their median and 90th percentile duration away from work and income loss as a result respectively; and 

d.     what income and welfare support has been provided to help affected drivers in need.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     As of June 2021, 43 taxi and private hire car (PHC) drivers (fewer than 0.1% of active taxi and PHC drivers) have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In six instances, their household members could have been infected by the drivers.

2.     We do not have data on the duration away from work and income loss for the median and 90th percentile COVID-19-positive taxi and PHC driver. These outcomes would vary significantly across individuals, and would depend on factors such as individuals’ physical health, working hours, vehicle type and ridership demand, which in turn is affected by prevailing safe management measures.

3.     Drivers who contract COVID-19 in the course of duty receive financial support, such as additional rental waivers and allowances from the National Taxi Association (NTA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), and operators. Drivers whocontract COVID-19 while serving in situations of heightened COVID-19 risk may also apply for one-time relief of $3,000 through The Courage Fund, which is administered by the National Council of Social Service.