Taxi and Private Hire Car

The Point-to-Point Transport Regulatory Framework, which aims to protect the interests of passengers and drivers, applies to transport operators with 800 or more taxis or PHCs. The framework was last updated in October in response to a growing range of point-to-point transport services. It comprises the following:

• Street-hail Service Operator Licence (SSOL) which apply to operators of taxis which do passenger pick-ups along the roads and at taxi stands,
• Ride-hail Service Operator Licence (RSOL) which apply to platform operators which take bookings for rides, including limited RSOLs for taxi operators to offer call booking services, and
• Car-pool Service Operator Licences (CSOLs) which apply to platform operators providing matching services for car-pooling trips.

Licensees must comply with the conditions of their licences, including meeting LTA’s safety and quality standards, and ensuring that partnership arrangements with drivers are non-exclusive. There are six SSOL licensees, five RSOL licensees, and two CSOL licensees.

Learn more about taxis and private hire cars.

Street-hail and ride-hail operators set their own fares, which take into account the supply and demand for such services. Some operators also offer customised services, such as providing for commuters with pets and families with young children.

While the Public Transport Council (PTC) does not intervene in the setting of their fares, the PTC ensures that fares are transparent, clearly communicated, and easy to understand so that commuters can make an informed choice about the type of service to use.

For street-hail taxi rides, licensed operators are required to publish the booking charges, metered charges per distance and other surcharges. For fixed fare ride-hail trips, operators have to make clear to commuters, at the point of booking, the fare that will be charged for the trip. Operators also have to publish the quantum for any additional charges that may be levied (e.g. fee for unplanned additional stops).

To safeguard the interests of drivers and their commuters, PTC will take action against fare evasion by commuters and overcharging by drivers for trips booked through licensed ride-hail service operators as well as street-hail services.