Latest news with #SunXueling
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services
10 illegal chauffeurs had their foreign-registered vehicles impounded during a sting conducted at Changi Airport on July 18 SINGAPORE - It is now easier for the public to report illegal ride-hailing services with a new online form the Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched on its OneMotoring website. This initiative is part of LTA's ongoing crackdown on unlicensed drivers providing point-to-point transport services within Singapore, as well as those ferrying passengers across the border to Malaysia The new reporting platform went live on July 20. Submissions will be used by the LTA for investigations. As at July 23, the agency has yet to receive any reports through the new channel. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said on Facebook on July 23 that the reporting channel was set up for users to provide information on foreign-registered cars providing ride-hailing services. 'Let us work together to protect the interests of both passengers and drivers,' she added. Two recent enforcement operations were conducted on July 11 and 18. Acting on tip-offs from the public and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA ), LTA officers arrested 32 people at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay for providing illegal ride-hailing services. The vehicles involved were impounded . These unlicensed drivers offered rides within Singapore and cross-border services. Under the current legislation, drivers must have a valid Public Service Vehicle Licence ( PSVL ) to offer point-to-point transport services in Singapore, as well as for cross-border services. Offenders can be fined up to $3,000 , jailed up to six months, or both. Their vehicle can also be forfeited. Cross-border transport is restricted to Singapore- and Malaysian-registered taxis who have been approved by both countries' authorities. These taxis can pick up and drop off passengers only at designated locations . Besides the PSVL, Malaysian-registered taxis must also have an Asean Public Service Vehicle Permit. In a July 19 Facebook post, the LTA warned the public against using illegal ride-hailing services because the vehicles do not have the necessary insurance and pose safety risks. In addition, passengers who use such services may find their journeys affected during enforcement operations. LTA also highlighted how such services affect the livelihood of licensed drivers. Since 2022, the authorities have caught 104 drivers for using foreign-registered vehicles for cross-border trips without permission. LTA said that those who have been charged and convicted had been slapped with fines of up to $2,600 and vehicle forfeiture.
AsiaOne
19 hours ago
- AsiaOne
10 motorists nabbed for providing illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport , Singapore News
Ten drivers were caught providing illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport on Friday (July 18), following a tip-off from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA). In a Facebook video posted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on July 19, enforcement officers were seen apprehending the drivers and impounding their vehicles for operating without valid licences. The illegal services were being offered both within Singapore and across the border between Singapore and Malaysia. LTA stated that it is stepping up enforcement against illegal point-to-point transport services that operate without a valid Public Service Vehicle Licence, including cross-border services. "Such crackdowns aim to protect passengers from potential disruptions and to ensure safety. The public is urged to use only licensed services for a safer and smoother ride," said LTA. Earlier this month on July 11, 22 drivers were caught for providing similar illegal services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling addressed the issue in a Facebook post on July 12, stating that authorities "will not hesitate to press for heavier fines against such illegal services." "LTA will increase the coverage and frequency of our enforcement actions against these illegal private hire car services. We will not hesitate to press for heavier fines, or to impound or forfeit these foreign-registered vehicles," said Sun. LTA advised the public to avoid using illegal ride-hailing services, which often lack proper insurance coverage, pose safety risks, and undermine the livelihoods of licensed drivers. Offenders may face fines of up to $3,000 and/or up to six months' imprisonment. Their vehicles may also be forfeited. [[nid:714563]]
New Paper
4 days ago
- New Paper
Another 10 motorists caught for illegal ride-hailing services amid enforcement blitz
A week after 22 people were caught for offering illegal ride-hailing services, another 10 motorists have been nabbed for falling afoul of the law, as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) steps up enforcement against those who offer point-to-point transport services without a valid licence. The sting was conducted on July 18 at Changi Airport, where the 10 illegal chauffeurs all had their foreign-registered vehicles impounded. As with the 22 caught offering illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay on July 11, some of the drivers were providing rides across the border with Malaysia without the necessary permits. The operations are ongoing. In June, eight drivers were caught giving illegal rides to Gardens by the Bay and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, in what was the first ever joint operation between LTA and the Singapore Tourism Board. LTA said in a Facebook post on July 19 that it had acted on a tip-off from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association, which gave similar leads to the authorities for previous enforcement operations. LTA said the 10 motorists nabbed on July 18 were caught for providing illegal ride-hailing services within Singapore, as well as to and from Malaysia. "Such illegal services not only pose risks, as they may lack proper insurance, but they also undermine the livelihoods of licensed drivers," it added in a video on its social media pages. LTA warned that the escalation of its enforcement activities against illegal point-to-point services could be disruptive to passengers. But it said it remained committed to protecting their interests as well as those of drivers. To offer taxi or private-hire car services here, a Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSVL) is required. This also applies to drivers of foreign-registered vehicles offering cross-border services between Singapore and Malaysia. Only Singapore- and Malaysia-registered taxis approved by LTA and Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency are authorised to provide cross-border rides today. Besides the PSVL, Malaysia-registered taxis must also have an Asean Public Service Vehicle Permit. Since 2022, 104 drivers have been caught providing illegal cross-border passenger transport services using foreign-registered vehicles. LTA said the penalties for those who have been charged and convicted so far include fines of up to $2,600 and vehicle forfeiture. The maximum penalty for those who provide illegal point-to-point transport services in Singapore is a fine of up to $3,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said on July 12 that the authorities will not hesitate to press for heavier fines against illegal private-hire car service providers.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
10 more motorists caught for illegal ride-hailing services as LTA steps up enforcement
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The sting was conducted on July 18 at Changi Airport, where the 10 illegal chauffeurs all had their foreign-registered vehicles impounded. SINGAPORE - A week after 22 people were caught for offering illegal ride-hailing services, another 10 motorists have been nabbed for falling afoul of the law, as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) steps up enforcement against those who offer point-to-point transport services without a valid licence. The sting was conducted on July 18 at Changi Airport, where the 10 illegal chauffeurs all had their foreign-registered vehicles impounded. As with th e 22 caught offering illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay on July 11, some of the drivers were providing rides across the border with Malaysia without the necessary permits . The operations are ongoing. In June, eight drivers were caught giving illegal rides to Gardens by the Bay and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, in what was the first ever joint operation between LTA and the Singapore Tourism Board. LTA said in a Facebook post on July 19 that it had acted on a tip-off from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), which gave similar leads to the authorities for previous enforcement operations. LTA said the 10 motorists nabbed on July 18 were caught for providing illegal ride-hailing services within Singapore, as well as to and from Malaysia. 'Such illegal services not only pose risks as they may lack proper insurance, but they also undermine the livelihoods of licensed drivers,' it added in a video on its social media pages. LTA warned that the escalation of its enforcement activities against illegal point-to-point services could be disruptive to passengers. But it said it remained committed to protecting their interests as well as those of drivers. To offer taxi or private-hire car services here, a Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSVL) is required. This also applies to drivers of foreign-registered vehicles offering cross-border services between Singapore and Malaysia. Only Singapore- and Malaysia-registered taxis approved by LTA and Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency are authorised to provide cross-border rides today. Besides the PSVL, Malaysia-registered taxis must also have an Asean public service vehicle permit. Since 2022, 104 drivers have been caught providing illegal cross-border passenger transport services using foreign-registered vehicles. LTA said the penalties for those who have been charged and convicted so far include fines of up to $2,600 and vehicle forfeiture. The maximum penalty for those who provide illegal point-to-point transport services in Singapore is a fine of up to $3,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said on July 12 that the authorities will not hesitate to press for heavier fines against illegal private-hire car service providers.
CNA
5 days ago
- Business
- CNA
CAAS to launch S$200 million fund to develop aviation sector workforce
SINGAPORE: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will establish a S$200 million (US$156 million) fund to support the aviation sector's manpower needs, it said on Friday (Jul 18). Named the OneAviation Manpower Fund, it will back initiatives to attract, develop and retain the aviation workforce in Singapore. Schemes tapping on the fund will be designed together with unions, aviation employers and educational partners, and target specific manpower development needs for the sector, said CAAS in a news release. The S$200 million is part of a S$1 billion sum previously announced in March to support Singapore's air hub development over the next five years. In addition, CAAS and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have jointly published a jobs transformation report for Singapore's aviation sector. It takes stock of the current workforce, identifies future trends and develops programmes to help Singaporeans seize future opportunities in the sector. The report was launched by Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling on Friday at the OneAviation Careers and Education Fair 2025 at the Suntec City Convention Centre. This is the first comprehensive manpower study of Singapore's aviation sector, with insights gathered from over 200 companies and detailed workshops conducted with key companies, said CAAS. "MEGATRENDS" IMPACTING AVIATION JOBS According to the report, the key "megatrends" that will impact aviation jobs and skills over the next five years include digitalisation, data and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as automation and robotics. It added that these trends will transform current jobs and create new ones in the sector, affecting up to 30 per cent of the workforce. The sector must respond to such trends to stay competitive and resilient, said CAAS. One example is how automation, robotics and digitalisation can transform the traditionally labour-intensive nature of airport ground handling services. In addition, the report noted that Singapore's aviation sector directly employs more than 60,000 workers, and that this workforce will grow along with rising air travel demand. It identified 31 operational job functions vital to day-to-day air hub operations, including pilots and cabin crew, baggage and cargo handling professionals, aircraft engineers, aviation security officers and in-flight catering chefs. "The sector will continue to build a pipeline of skilled professionals to fulfil these functions as the air hub grows," said CAAS. As part of such efforts, CAAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday with nine institutes of higher learning, bringing the sector and the institutions together to identify changing training needs, develop curriculum and offer internships and in-house training. The aviation authority also inked an MOU on the same day with various organisations, including AI Singapore, to work towards building a pool of AI talent for aviation and using the technology to improve labour productivity. In addition, Workforce Singapore will develop a playbook later this year to help aviation employers identify vital skillsets for emerging job roles and implement job redesign opportunities, said CAAS. "The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects global air passenger demand to double over the next 20 years. As a premier air hub, Singapore is well-placed to capture this growth," said CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan. "As we grow, the Singapore aviation sector will provide new and exciting career opportunities for Singaporeans, now, and in the future," he added. The various initiatives by the CAAS, including the S$200 million fund and the agreements inked, will provide a "big boost" to Singapore's efforts to develop its aviation workforce, he added.
