Talking Points by NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say at the National Taxi Association Inauguration

Monopoly to Liberalisation

Prior to 2003, there were only 3 major players in the Taxi industry namely Comfort, City Cab and SMRT Taxi. With the liberalisation of the taxi industry in 2003, 4 more new players joined the industry namely TransCab, Premier, SMARTCabs and Prime Taxis.

1. With liberalisation, more innovative and attractive schemes were offered to lure existing and new drivers into the industry.
2. Membership has also grown from an initial 150 members in 1997 to more than 10,100 members in January 2010.

Tackling Key Challenges

Sars Crisis - 2003

The TOA and the Taxi Industry Task Force rallied behind taxi drivers to help regain the public’s confidence and to work with the nation to do all that was necessary to prevent the spread of the disease by conducting routine fever checks and taxis putting on a “fever-free” stickers to facilitate contact tracing. More than $100,000 worth of Sars battle kits were also provided.

Influenza A – H1N1 - 2009

“U Care-TOA Immediate Relief” package worth $650,000 of immediate reliefs for members of Taxi Operators' Associations (TOA) who suffered from flu, in response to the rising community spread of Influenza A (H1N1).

Achieve Better Life

Welfare Benefits for Members

In 1998, TOA secured $67.5 million (Diesel Tax Rebates) for the Medisave Accounts of drivers, which translates to $750 Medisave rebate yearly for each driver for five years amounting to $3,750.

1. Annually since 2005, TOA gave out more than $500,000 to help needy members and their families through various NTUC Financial and Vouchers Schemes such as Back-To-School, U-Stretch, Transport vouchers, Recreation Fund vouchers, etc.
2. After lobbying for several years, the age limit to drive Taxi was raised from 70 years to 73 years with effect from 1 July 2006.

Doing Good and Doing Together

Major Attractions and Venue

Government’s decision several years ago to build 2 Integrated Resorts is now greatly welcome by most of our Taxi Drivers. The 2 IRs have now offered additional business opportunities and choices for our Taxi drivers to ply their trade besides Changi Airport and other attractions. In particular, Taxi companies’ statistics over the last 4 months have shown significant increase in the number of successful trips in and out of Sentosa, especially the Resorts World, by more than 100%.

At the same time, thanks to Government’s aggressive marketing policy, tourist arrivals have improved significantly and business has been brisk for most drivers.

F1, YOG and Air-Show

In addition, the 6 Taxi Associations have always collaborated closely with major event organisers such as F1, the Airshow and the Youth Olympics Games 2010 to explore new business opportunities for members through improving and regulating traffic flow, and setting up additional strategic pick-up points for taxi services during such major events.

The NTA’s first project is to support the YOG by placing mini flags on at least 10,000 Taxis. This is possible only with the strong support from our members and in particular, the 6 Taxi Operators. The mini flags are sponsored by YOG and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.