While the haze condition threatens to persist at an unhealthy level, the National Taxi Association (NTA) calls on all taxi operators to ensure that the health and safety of taxi drivers who continue their service on the roads will not be compromised. NTA will be distributing 3,000 pieces of protective masks, as well as 1,000 bottles of eye lotion to taxi drivers at the Changi Airport, taxi kiosks and pump stations today and tomorrow. NTA also urges all taxi operators to do the same for their drivers, and is glad that Premier Taxis has heeded the call and will be distributing protective masks to their drivers.
Due to the haze condition, there is already a 25 per cent drop in the number of commuters and the livelihood of taxi drivers has been directly impacted. At the same time, drivers are expected to continue to meet taxi availability indicators, like minimum number of hours and mileage clocked on the roads.
To that, we call upon the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to review the indicators that drivers need to clock when the PSI level hit more than 200. To help drivers better cope with the drop in business volume, we also hope that taxi operators can look at reducing rental costs while the PSI level continues to stay in the unhealthy range.
Despite the haze, our taxi drivers continue to ply the streets to provide essential transport services to commuters. We strongly urge the relevant authorities and management to look after their drivers over business always, ensuring that their livelihood, health and safety are protected.
Ang Hin Kee
Advisor
National Taxi Association
