Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Holding Taxi and Platform Operators Rather than Drivers Accountable for New Operational Disruption Standards

Ms See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Transport in respect of the new standards for managing operational disruptions for all taxi and ride-hail operators

a.     what measures will the Land Transport Authority (LTA) take to ensure that the operators are motivated to minimise disruptions; and

b.     how will LTA ensure that operators are held accountable to those affected by the disruptions especially drivers whose income will be adversely impacted.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.    As announced at the Ministry of Transport’s Committee of Supply 2024, all street-hail and ride-hail operators will be required to inform LTA, commuters and drivers within an hour of the confirmation of a systemic incident that could impair P2P services. This will enable drivers and commuters to switch to other platforms and minimise the impact on livelihoods and commutes. 

2.    We will also require ride-hail operators to maintain contingency plans to ensure timely service recovery, and mitigate recurrences of any systemic incidents.

3.     LTA will take into account operators’ track record in meeting these new requirements when assessing operators’ licence renewal applications.