Friday 7 December 2007

Stiffer penalties deter cabbies from touting


Dec 7, 2007
By Maria Almenoar

THE crackdown on errant cabbies seems to have taken effect, especially against touting. In the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) latest enforcement operations, no cabbies were caught touting. However, six were nabbed for overcharging and eight for refusing to pick up passengers.

The last big enforcement operation from Nov 6 to 17 netted 36 errant cabbies. In the latest 13-day operation, which started on Nov 19 - day the stiffer penalties come into force effect - and ended on Dec 1, LTA officers covered several popular spots with touts like Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Mustafa Centre, Orchard Towers, Chijmes and Shenton Way.

While the number of errant cabbies caught has 'decreased substantially' since the new penalties took effect, LTA said in a statement on Thursday that it would continue with its enforcement activities.

Operations were also being extended to other popular night spots along Beach Road, Chinatown, Lau Pa Sat and North Bridge Road to ensure the errant taxi drivers have not merely moved their activities to other areas, said LTA's acting group director for vehicle and transit licensing, Mr Jeremy Yap.

Signs against touting are also being put up at taxi stands in the Central Business District. Since Oct 24, LTA has caught 130 errant cabbies.

So far, nine have had their licenses revoked, while another 10 will have their licenses suspended. Others will receive fines, demerit points or are still being investigated.

Cabbies caught in the latest sting will face heavier fines, more demerit points and immediate suspensions of their licenses.

Members of the public can call LTA's hotline at 1800-225-5582 to report errant taxi drivers or give feedback.

Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings.

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