Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Plans to Require Taxis to Provide Child Car Seats

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     since the pilot by SMRT Taxis to provide child booster seats five years ago, whether there are plans to require taxis to provide child car seats; and

b.     if not, why not.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.     Taxis are exempt from the requirement for passengers below 1.35 metres in height to be secured in child seats, as they provide street-hail services. Unlike ride-hail services, street-hail passengers would not be able to inform the driver in advance if they need child seats.

2.     To meet the commuting needs of families with young children, ride-hail platforms are required to allow passengers to indicate if they need a child seat when booking a ride, so that the matched vehicle will come with the requested child seat. Passengers with young children could use their own child seats when riding taxis or private hire cars.