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42 devices seized from three unlicensed PMD-sharing operators: LTA

Under the Parking Places Act, PMD-sharing operators are not permitted to operate on public land without a licence or an exemption granted by the Minister for Transport.
Neuron Mobility e-scooters being impounded at Bencoolen Street. (PHOTO: LTA)

Dozens of personal mobility devices (PMDs) from three PMD-sharing operators have been impounded for being illegally available for hire at public places, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Tuesday (13 November).

Twenty-six Neuron Mobility and 15 Telepod e-scooters, found at places like Bencoolen Street and Bayfront Avenue, as well as a Beam e-scooter, found at Bugis MRT station, were impounded.

No license or exemption granted

Under the Parking Places Act, PMD-sharing operators are not permitted to operate on public land without a licence or an exemption granted by the Minister for Transport.

“To date, exemptions have only been granted for operators such as Telepod to provide PMD-sharing services at one-north. This is in light of an existing agreement they have with landowner JTC to conduct PMD-sharing services at this location,” said the LTA.

“LTA is disappointed that Neuron Mobility, Telepod and Beam have deployed their PMDs illegally on public land, despite LTA’s repeated reminders and warnings between July to October 2018,” the authority added.

2 operators to be investigated

Neuron Mobility and Telepod, both repeated offenders, will be investigated for their actions.

The LTA said that when evaluating licence applications, by operators, they will consider their track records, including their compliance with the law and regulatory requirements.

Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) executive director Loy York Jiun told Yahoo News Singapore that CASE has not received any complaints from consumers regarding the matter as of press time.

Loy also highlighted the risk of losing deposits or prepayments due to abrupt business closures.

“Hence…consumers are encouraged to minimise their deposit payments or shop around for alternative services that do not require prepayment where possible. They should also consider paying for such services on a ‘per-use’ basis instead of signing up for monthly or yearly user passes,” he added.

If convicted, unlicensed operators can be fined up to $10,000, face up to six months in jail, or both. A further fine of $500 for each day that the offence continues after conviction may also be imposed.

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