New Guidelines to Enhance Service Availability, Reliability, and Inclusivity
Starting in January 2025, several measures will be implemented to improve the taxi and private-hire car (PHC) sector in Singapore, marking the first phase of the ongoing point-to-point (P2P) sector review by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Announced by Senior Minister of State for Transport, Amy Khor, these updates aim to increase service reliability, availability, and inclusivity in the sector.
Key Changes Include:
Managing Operational Disruptions: P2P operators must notify LTA, commuters, and drivers within an hour of a systemic incident that affects services and submit an incident report outlining corrective actions taken.
Exit Plan for Operators: Operators wishing to exit the P2P market must submit a 120-day notice period to LTA, up from the previous 60-day requirement.
Additionally, taxis and private-hire cars will now have extended vehicle lifespans: the statutory lifespan for diesel, petrol, and hybrid taxis has been increased to 10 years, up from eight years.
This overhaul forms part of a broader initiative to enhance the P2P sector, which includes developing better systems to address disruptions and ensuring the inclusivity of services for commuters with specialized needs. The changes follow an LTA review announced in September 2023, with the full review expected to be completed by mid-2024.
