In the few days since the Government raised the DORSCON status to Orange, taxi and private-hire drivers have given feedback that income has dropped by nearly a third, according to National Taxi Association (NTA) and National Private Hire Vehicle Association (NPHVA) Advisor Ang Hin Kee.
“That has put a toll on our drivers, which means they have to drive longer hours and to more places just to try to meet as many customers as possible,” said Mr Ang.
He was speaking with reporters after a closed-door dialogue session between 60 NTA-NPHVA members and Senior Minister of State for Transport Janil Puthucheary on 10 February 2020.
The dialogue session saw the drivers express their concern about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus situation affecting their business.
Mr Ang assured that drivers in NTA and NPHVA have committed to keeping their passengers safe.
“The drivers are doing their best to maintain personal hygiene, such as using masks, sanitisers and disinfectants. We are doing our best to ensure that the vehicle and the passengers are safe. This is something the drivers are focused on as well,” added Mr Ang.
According to him, many drivers are prepared as they had experienced the SARS crisis in 2003.
“They will take up the same process of disinfecting the vehicle, and do [self] temperature screening so that the commuters are assured that the vehicle, no matter a private-hire or taxi, is safe,” said Mr Ang.
He added that he is confident that a vast majority of taxi and private-hire drivers will do their part as they would want to instill confidence to both their customers, as it affects business, and their family members.
From today (11 February 2020), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will issue 300,000 masks to taxi and private-hire drivers. These masks can be offered to passengers who are unwell.
The masks will be distributed to the drivers in packs of four through their taxi and ride-hailing app operators, said LTA in a press release.
Drivers have also been asked to take their temperatures twice daily.
Taxi drivers can go to eight temperature taking stations at seven taxi companies in Singapore. If their temperatures fall within the acceptable range, the drivers will be issued a sticker to indicate that they are well.
Private-hire drivers on the other hand will be required to take their own temperatures and submit the reading through their ride-hailing app.
Mr Ang added that the operators are currently gathering materials such as disinfectants, but he urged operators to roll out measures that are within their control as soon as possible.
Some of these measures may include reducing levies, increasing commissions and reducing pump prices.
“These are some measures operators can start to roll out. Whether they roll it out today or tomorrow, we hope it’s at the earliest … An empty car [taxi or private-hire vehicle] at the carpark is also not good for the operator’s business,” said Mr Ang.
