Channel NewsAsia - Friday, February 29
SINGAPORE: From 1 March, taxi drivers can no longer pick up or drop off passengers along public roads in the Central Business District (CBD) on weekdays and Saturdays from 7am to 10pm.
They will only be allowed to stop at taxi stands and driveways of buildings.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said this is part of efforts to help improve the safety of taxi commuters and road users by reducing traffic disruption.
To make taxi facilities more accessible to commuters, LTA added that it has increased the number of taxi stands in the CBD by 30 per cent, from 80 to 105.
This means that the distance between a taxi stand and any building within the CBD is less than 300 metres which translates to a less than five—minute walk.
Taxi drivers who violate the rules can be fined S$100 and given three demerit points. —CNA/vm
From 1 March 2008 Taxis Within The Central Business District (CBD)
Can Only Stop At Taxi Stands And Building Driveways
1 From 1 March 2008, taxi drivers can no longer stop to pick up or drop off passengers along all public roads within the CBD between 7 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, other than a public holiday. They should instead do so at taxi stops, taxi stands and driveways of buildings in the CBD.
2 This measure, which was announced by LTA in November 2007, will help improve the safety of commuters, taxi drivers and other road users as it will reduce the number of taxis driving into bus lanes to pick up passengers or indiscriminately stopping along the roads and disrupting the flow of traffic. This way, public buses which carry more passengers will enjoy a smoother and faster journey.
3 Taxis picking up and dropping off passengers at taxi stands will increase the availability of taxis there and ensure a fairer allocation of taxis than street hail by preventing passengers waiting for taxis along the road to jump queue by going up-traffic.
4 To make taxi facilities more accessible to commuters, LTA has increased the number of taxi stands within the CBD by more than 30%, from 80 to 105. This means that there is now a taxi stand or taxi stop within 300 metres or less than a 5-minute walk from any building within the CBD. Please refer to Annex A for a list of the 10 additional taxi stands installed in February 2008. LTA has also increased the waiting capacity at these taxi stands by about 3 times so that more taxis can wait for passengers at the taxi stands. To make the taxi stands and taxi stops easily identifiable, all the taxi signs in the CBD have been replaced by distinctive by distinctive taxi signs. In addition, the taxi stands will be numbered for easy identification by both commuters and taxi drivers. These signs include LTA's advisory against touting and overcharging. Please refer to Annex B for a picture of the taxi sign.
5 Taxi drivers who breach the rules can be fined $100 and given 3 demerit points under the Vocational Licence Points System (VLPS).
6 Mr Yang Ban Seng, CEO of ComfortDelGro's Taxi Business, said, "The move to mandate that taxi passengers can only be picked up or alighted at taxi stands, taxi stops and building driveways in the CBD is a good one and we are supportive of it. In fact, we have been working with LTA and our Taxi Association to address implementation issues of concern to our taxi drivers, such as providing more taxi stands and taxi waiting lots in the CBD, and educating the public to minimise misunderstandings between taxi drivers and passengers who may be unaware of the new ruling. We hope that commuters will appreciate that our taxi drivers cannot now just stop anywhere along the roads on their request, and seek their understanding, especially on rainy days". Mr Foo Chi Yong, Chairman of Premier Taxi Operators' Association, said, "We are fully supportive of LTA's measures to improve taxi services. This measure will enhance the safety of commuters and taxi drivers, and at the same time make it easier for taxi commuters to get a taxi from a taxi stand. We will encourage our taxi drivers to pick up passengers from taxi stands. We would also like to urge commuters to cooperate with our taxi drivers".
7 LTA officers will be deployed on the ground during the first month to remind taxi drivers not to stop along public roads in the CBD. These officers will also help to educate commuters on the new rule.
Source: LTA website @ http://www.lta.gov.sg/
Crap la ....
If i violated the "law " , demerit my points and $$$ ?
Then this bloddy LTA will be bloody rich , cos i would say , most Taxi-Stands usually stand more taxis than the allocated slots ... ![]()
2 slots u can actually see almost 6 at one time q-ing .
Aiya , LTA say only la ....
Being an evening driver , i would say , 7.00pm to 8pm slot , there'll be not enough taxi-stand for taxis ....
But after 8pm , taxi stands will be fullly utilised ! ![]()
Originally posted by Ed11790:how much $ are taxi rides?
you mean when you board from the CBD taxi stands ![]()
Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, March 4
SINGAPORE: On the first day of the work week since the change kicked in, cabbies and commuters alike did not seem to have bought into the new rule that taxis can stop for passengers only at taxi stands and building driveways in the Central Business District.
Taxi drivers were seen picking up and dropping off passengers along Bras Basah Road at 2pm on Monday, three days after the rule was introduced on Saturday. The rule applies every day from 7am to 10pm, except on Sundays and public holidays.
Outside Hitachi Tower, a previously popular spot for hailing cabs along Collyer Quay, TODAY observed within a span of 15 minutes 10 commuters attempting to flag one down along the main road. While some taxis drove by, at least five stopped to pick up or allow passengers to alight.
Since Saturday, Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers have warned at least 92 taxi drivers who violated the new ruling.
One in two commuters TODAY spoke to said they were not aware of the new rule. Many grumbled about the hassle.
Secretary Jessie Lum, 38, said: "The purpose of taking a taxi is for my convenience. Otherwise, I might as well take a train or a bus if I have to walk far to reach a taxi stand."
SMRT taxi driver P S Velan, 34, said passengers still demanded to alight at their preferred spots. "This is especially so on rainy days, where some taxi stands can be quite a distance from sheltered areas."
Another problem is that not all taxi stands allow queues, he said. Some allowed up to only two vehicles at any one time.
Some passengers were furious when told of the new rule. Trans—cab taxi driver Tang Kian Cheong, 63, told TODAY in some instances commuters threw the money at the cabbies and got out at a traffic light as they did not want to alight too far away from their destination.
"Passengers insist on stopping where they choose but, in the end, we taxis drivers are the ones who risk being fined. Some quarrel with us, saying they pay so much, yet have to walk so far," recounted an annoyed CityCab taxi driver, Mr Richard Low, 60.
But he was concerned about one passenger "an old lady with a walking stick" who alighted at a stand far from where she wanted to go. Mr Low suggested that the LTA allowed taxi commuters to be let off at small lanes with less traffic.
An LTA spokesperson said the rules should be followed even on rainy days or other special circumstances for they are "in the interest of the passengers’ safety".
Associate manager David Soh, 51, pointed out that wheelchair—bound passengers might not always be able to access taxi stands.
Group corporate communications officer for ComfortDelGro Corporation Tammy Tan said drivers had highlighted several anticipated problems, including disagreements with customers about being dropped off at taxi stands on rainy days and those who are physically—challenged.
"We are working closely with the LTA and the taxi associations with regard to these issues and seek the understanding of passengers with regard to the need to board and alight at taxi stands," she said.
Taxi drivers who breach the rules under the new scheme face a $100 fine and three demerit points. — TODAY/so
Whatever is done people will complain. That is because people are all not the same. Do this, Group A will complain, do that, Group B will complain. Don't do anything Group C will complain. Group D will say it is good.
Originally posted by mancha:Whatever is done people will complain. That is because people are all not the same. Do this, Group A will complain, do that, Group B will complain. Don't do anything Group C will complain. Group D will say it is good.
In short, people can never be satisfied with what they have ![]()
knew long ago that this is a cock up rule... LTA don't know anything about taxi and taxi association are just yes-man... rule made by outsiders....
me dropped one fellow at boat quay... where got taxi stand? to stop at chulia street?
duxton hotel where got private driveway? unload at tanjong pager taxi with full luggage from airport?
private car can stop and pick up, but taxi cannot.....
...... wow lan eh.....only suntec area is ready for this ruling lah... wake up lah LTA...... want to talk about customer service somemore....... anyhow build small taxi bay only want to call it a taxi stand..... only work if taxi can stop at bus stop in CBD....
first class planners.......
Ya man the way they implment this rule sucks!!!They are always out to make things hard for cabbies and commuters.,hey there if any of those LTA fellas reading this,pls go back ask any one of ur staff to try driving taxi for a week and see how.Bloody cock!!!
My view .... nothing much , just gave me an extra excuse to cruise around for a call .
LTA implement the ball games rule , then i'll play with the rules .
If there's any complaints , that's not my fault , their fault !!!
well , drivers will improve day-by-day .
It'll take a few more times into the CBD to adept to the new environment .
Aiyo boyz , this new implementation is very bad for Day-Shift cabbies , not much for Evening shift like us ....
Anyway .... all i knew , from Quick Pick , David Chong , ALN , Coolkies & myself ... all Evening shift . Non is Day Shift .
So not really affected la .... up to 10pm nia ....
For me good ma .... all squeeze into one taxi Q .... then customers saw long Q no taxis .... then call 6552-1111 .
Good ma , right ?
I am a call-taker , i just knew the feelings of all my customers , they just hate to Q , not talking about very long Q .
And all those new taxi stands damn solid , all got "number " like Bus Stop , Like Duxton Road T/S is E66 , when u need a cab , and no cabs available on sight , just call 6552-1111 , and say your exact location : E66 , then the operator will know your exact location . No need describe like fuck .
Overall comments : Good for me !!!!
It fits my way of working , less stress and more excuse not to pick street hire .
if LTA call me , asked : "Why u that day xx-xx-2008 , xxpm , never stop at t/s to pick up so & so etc ...
My answer : Aiyo , every taxi stand can only contain 3 taxis or less , i saw that t/s got taxi liao , so i move on to another t/s lor !!! "
"even if there's more than 20 customers on the Q , still a infringement ma , if base on your demerit points regulations ".
Street i lagi cannot stop , i stop to tell them even so , very good service .... tell them to go to nearest t/s to wait for me . ![]()
Ok, so what's the comments from commuters like regarding this new rule being implemented ![]()
"New rule on cabs in CBD. What was LTA thinking?"
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=16034
Channel NewsAsia - 34 minutes ago
SINGAPORE : A phased—in approach may have been a better option when it comes to the recently—imposed rule of taxis being allowed only to stop at designated driveways and taxi stands in the CBD area.
This is according to Advisor to Taxi Operators Associations Seng Han Thong who, together with the taxi companies, sent a list of issues faced by the cabbies because of this new rule to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) just last week.
During the past few days, there have been long queues at taxi stands despite the pouring rain.
But despite a growing chorus of complaints from passengers and taxi drivers, an LTA ruling on taxi pick—ups and drop—offs only at designated stands and driveways remains for the moment.
"We know we have to obey the regulations, but then it would be inconvenient for the person who is taking the taxi," said one commuter.
"I cannot book a taxi like before and they can come and pick me up at the hotel. Now I have to carry my luggage to the taxi stand," said another.
One main reason the LTA has given for the new rule is safety — that taxi drivers do not stop suddenly along a busy road, especially with so many new bus lanes now.
Foo Chi Yong, President, Premier Taxi Operators’ Association, said: "When we have a passenger on board, they keep on telling us why the private car is allowed to drop off family members — why are you not allowed? You are a taxi driver, you should be able to — why are you so special you have to stop at a designated taxi stand?"
Mr Seng said the taxi companies have formed a Working Group with representatives from LTA to look at the issues.
He feels a phased approach rather than a Big Bang approach would have been better, especially since such a large group of people are involved.
Mr Seng said: "First it’s the taxi drivers, second, it’s the commuters — and you have the local and foreign commuters. You have the providers, the buildings, the hotels, which must provide taxi stands and many do not have this in—built structure."
Public communication, he added, also needs to be enhanced.
Many still do not know what the new ruling is or even where the taxi stands are.
And while the authorities are looking at building more stands, Mr Seng has called for more flexibility for taxi drivers as long as they do not compromise safety.
With the recent litany of complaints, which has also gone online, it remains to be seen just how far the LTA will bend to accommodate these grouses, and improve a scheme which may have started off with good intentions, but has ended up resulting in a whole new set of unnecessary problems for the very groups of people it was intended to help. — CNA/ch
True la , sometime my kia-su counterpart see got customer flag for taxis , sekali jammed brake , behind vehicle ping-ping-piang-piang langga , so with this ruling , it cut off the accident possibility .
New ruling also cut off kia-su customers from moving out of taxi stand to "hijack" taxis out of the taxi stand .
If u inside taxi Q , sekali the person behind u , walked out of the taxi-stand , and move 100m before the t/s , and flag for a cab , and got one , u du-lan buay ?
U felt like want to complaint , but LTA cannot do anything , right ?
Now u complaint against any cabbies doing so , that cabbies will get demerit points , u not happy meh ?
Channel NewsAsia - 46 minutes ago
SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has fine—tuned the rules for taxis in the central business district (CBD).
Starting from Monday, taxis will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers on side roads of the CBD where buses do not ply.
Along roads that have buses plying, taxis can only pick up and drop off passengers at taxi stands or on driveways of buildings between 7am and 10pm.
LTA said cabbies have up till 1 May to adjust to the revised rules, after which they will be fined.
According to LTA, it will continue to install more taxi stands on roads in the CBD. It will also make taxi stand signs more prominent and install new signs to direct passengers to the nearest taxi stand.
The adjustments are made after receiving feedback from cabbies and commuters over the past two weeks. — CNA/ac
this can only mean one thing. they have acted like a puppet because of the string by the attached puppeter
Something is wrong somewhere.
Rules can suka suka change here and there. So next time think before implement rules.
Remember,
The lesson l learned from Taxi Vocational Licence Training Progarame course stated.
Q103... can you pick up or set down passegers on the road where there is a single or double white line or yellow line?
answer Yes, if i do not obstruct other vehicles.
Just not long ago, at CBD cannot only at Taxi stands now can at CBD. very confuse all this rules.
Below are the 10 more taxi stands/stops by month-end
1) Bencoolen St (Somerset Residences)
2) Bencoolen St (Summerview Hotel)
3) Tanjong Pagar
4) Raffles Quay
5) Collyer Quay
6) Yan Kit Road
7) Boat Quay ( Circular Rd)
8) Club St
9) Mosque St
10) Temple St
what kind of law is this ![]()
duno wtf.
the tv is showin it now im watchin