Enforcement Action Against Errant Taxi Drivers for Overcharging Offences
On 15 December 2023, LTA took enforcement action against seven taxi drivers for overcharging offences under Section 41(7) of the Public Transport Council Act 1987.
2. These offences took place between September 2023 and early December 2023 at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Changi Airport.
3. Four drivers were found to have overcharged passengers by collecting fares exceeding the metered fare. Two drivers had collected a fare that is less than $20 above the metered fare, while two other drivers had collected a fare that is $20 or more above the metered fare. These four drivers were offered an opportunity to compound their offences, in lieu of being charged in Court, as follows:
| Offence committed | Composition sum | No. of demerit points |
| Collected a fare that is less than $20 above the metered fare | $500 | 12 |
| Collected a fare that is $20 or more above the metered fare | $500 | 21 |
4. Under LTA’s Vocational Licence Demerit Points System, an accumulation of 6 demerit points or more would result in the suspension of the vocational licence, while 21 demerit points or more would result in the revocation of the vocational licence.
5. The remaining three drivers were found to have demanded fares beyond the metered fare but the passengers did not accept the ride. These drivers were offered an opportunity to compound their offences at $100. Upon compounding their offences, they will be further penalised with 3 demerit points. LTA will proceed to charge the seven taxi drivers in Court if they do not accept the offer of composition.
6. LTA has worked with MBS, where there have been more incidents of touting and overcharging, to enhance traffic circulation and manage the taxi queue along the driveway of the integrated resort. In addition, MBS will be setting up a limousine service counter at the driveway to provide the public with a premium service option, should they opt not to join the queue for a metered taxi. This is to ensure that limousine transport services are carried out properly.
7. LTA takes a serious view of touting and overcharging. Such practices by a minority of drivers compromise the interests of passengers, and undermine the integrity and reputation of the point-to-point passenger transport industry. We will be stepping up enforcement efforts during this festive period and will not hesitate to take errant drivers to task. We will also continue to conduct frequent checks at high-traffic areas, potential hotspots and locations reported to LTA by members of the public.
8. LTA has also issued a circular to taxi operators urging them to reinforce awareness among their drivers of the penalties for touting and overcharging.
9. Members of the public are encouraged to report incidents of touting, overcharging or drivers refusing to use the taximeter through [email protected] or the e-service “Report Vehicle-Related Offences” at www.OneMotoring.lta.gov.sg. To facilitate investigations, they should provide information such as the vehicle’s registration plate number (where possible), date, time and a brief account of the incident.
Recent incident(s)
A taxi driver in Singapore charged an astonishing $100 for a mere 8-minute trip from Marina Bay Sands (MBS) to Pickering Park Royal. But that’s not all; the driver also attempted to refuse a credit card payment and insisted on cash.
The customer, YouTuber Carl Runfield, documented the incident on his vlog and titled it “EXPOSING A TAXI DRIVER IN SINGAPORE!!!”
Charging $100 from MBS to Pickering Park Royal
The incident in question involved a taxi ride that should have cost a fraction of the $100 fare charged. A short 2.8km journey from Marina Bay Sands to Pickering Park Royal.
The taxi driver first asked where the group was heading to, and they told him that they were heading to Park Royal at Pickering, which was a very short 8 minutes ride away, to which the driver then touted a $100 flat fare to them, which he explained was because the traffic “is very jammed, very jammed.”
Shortly after arriving at the destination, the driver insisted on cash payment, saying that his card machine was not working.
However, the passengers insisted on paying with their card and the left with no choice, the driver accepted the card and his card machine then magically started working.