Taxi, private-hire car drivers can continue deliveries until September
SINGAPORE — Taxis and private-hire cars can continue to food, groceries and parcels until the end of September, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Saturday (23 May).
In a post put up on his Facebook page, Khaw said that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will extend the temporary liberalisation of regulations from end of June to end of September, to allow the use of taxis and private-hire cars to join the point-to-point delivery services for food, groceries and parcels.
“COVID-19 is forcing us to be extra nimble and adaptable. As circumstances change, we must quickly review and when appropriate revise policies and rules, to cope with new situations,” he said in his post.
“As we gradually ease the circuit breaker measures from next month, I expect the demand for home deliveries to remain high. My sense is that it has become a new norm for many, including my family.
“To meet this need, LTA will extend the temporary liberalisation of regulations by another three months, till the end of September. This means taxi and private-hire car drivers can continue to supplement their incomes, as well as meet the needs of merchants and residents. It is win-win all round.”
Ensuring commuters are not marginalised
LTA had originally liberalised the regulations by three months on 29 March. Currently, more than 10,000 taxi and private-hire car drivers are tapping this new regulation to carry out delivery services.
Khaw said that his ministry is closely monitoring the ground to ensure that, for traditional taxi and private-hire car services such as commuting, consumers are not being marginalised.
“This is to ensure that those who are returning to work post-circuit breaker, to help re-open the economy, are well served in a timely way,” he said in his Facebook post.
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