Media update: More than 12,500 temperatures checks on cabbies, additional temperature check stations

Media update: More than 12,500 temperatures checks on cabbies, additional temperature check stations on the way.

19 April 2003

The free temperature check stations for cabbies got off to an encouraging start on 18 April. On the first day, 5506 taxi drivers turned up at the 12 temperature check stations island-wide to have their temperature taken. Another 7000 taxi drivers were checked today. More than 12,500 temperature checks have been conducted so far. Based on feedback, the number of temperature check stations will increase to 17 next Tuesday. The complete list of stations is enclosed at Annex A.

Sharing his experience, Comfort cabby Lau Seng Guan said, "Yesterday when I picked up a passenger, she asked me why I didn't have a sticker to certify that I'm not running a fever. Immediately after dropping her off at her destination, I came over to this check station to have my temperature checked. From today, I will continue to drop by and have my temperature checked daily."

Only one driver was found to have a slight fever so far and he was advised to see a doctor.

Mr Seng Han Thong, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and advisor to the taxi operators associations, is happy with the encouraging start of the project. He urges more taxi operators to step forward to have their temperatures taken. "We managed to kick off the project because of the tireless efforts of the leaders of the three taxi operators associations, as well as the strong support of the taxi companies and NTUC Healthcare. I am encouraged by the response. As the project becomes more publicized and word of mouth spreads, I expect more taxi drivers to turn up. This is why we are increasing the number of stations. I urge all taxi drivers in Singapore to come forward to have their temperatures taken. The service is free, it will help reassure passengers and raise public confidence in the industry," Mr Seng said.

The temperature check station is one of the many efforts by the Taxi Industry Task Force to help taxi drivers affected by SARS and maintain public confidence in the taxi industry. The Task Force comprises representatives from the three taxi companies Comfort, CityCab and TIBS, and the three taxi operators associations CityCab Operators' Association (CCOA), Comfort Taxi Operators' Association (CTOA) and TIBS Operators' Association (TTOA). The other initiatives by the Task Force included:

• If a driver is sick and on MC, taxi companies will waive 25% of rental for the sick days to alleviate his financial burden.
• Should a driver be quarantined because of SARS, the full rental will be waived. He will get a one-off hardship grant of $200 from the companies. The taxi operators' associations will provide another $200 if he is an association member.
• A Welfare Fund Scheme will be set up to encourage taxi drivers to save part of their monthly earnings for rainy days.
• Taxi companies are providing an across the board waiver of $10 in taxi rental per day for all hirers for one month.
• Taxi companies will pass on the full savings from the diesel tax rebates.
• Diesel prices are lowered at the company's diesel pumps.

Issued by : Taxi Industry Task Force

Annex A - List of Free Temperature Check Stations 

Central

1.     Car park taxi stand opposite Centrepoint (Next to Somerset MRT)

2.     Singapore Johore taxi station (Bansan Street / Near Queen street or Bugis MRT)

3.     Geylang Branch car park (Geylang Lor 1 / Next to Kallang MRT)

4.     Water Front taxi stand (World Trade Centre)

East

5.     Airport T1

6.     Airport T2

7.     Eunos Branch car park (Bedok Reservoir Road / Beside Blk 705 Bedok North)

8.     Comfort Workshop at Loyang *

North/Northeast

9.     Woodland MRT taxi stand (Woodland Square / Beside Woodland MRT station)

10.  Ang Mo Kio Branch car park (Ang Mo Kio Central 2 / Behind Ang Mo Kio Library)

11.  Compass Point taxi stand (SengKang LRT station / along SengKang Square)

12.  Hougang Branch car park (Blk 126 Car Park Lorong Ah Soo / Hougang Ave 1)

13.  Comfort Workshop at Sin Ming *

14.  CityCab Workshop at Sin Ming *

15.  TIBS Workshop at Woodlands *

West

16.  Jurong Branch car park (Blk 317 Car Park, Jurong East St 31)

17.  Clementi Branch car park (Blk 403 Car Park, Clementi Ave 1)

* From Tuesday, 22 April