Labour Chief Lim Swee Say called on taxi companies on Sunday to differentiate their services from other forms of public transport such as the MRT or buses.

Speaking at the Taxi Operators' Associations' 10th anniversary celebrations, the Secretary-General of NTUC said he had received feedback from consumers, with many expressing difficulties in getting a cab when they needed it most.

Mr Lim hoped the taxi companies could find ways to bridge this gap between supply and demand. He suggested a 30-minute express service.

"A 30-minute service means that every time you call this number, a taxi will come within 30 minutes. The point is that taxi services, by nature, must be different from (other) public transport. Anything the MRT can do, anything the public buses can do, we must make sure taxis do not end up competing with them,” said Mr Lim.

He added: "If we compete with the MRT or buses directly, I think we will lose. So, if we continue to create value-added services, the future for taxi drivers will continue to be bright."

Mr Lim commended taxi companies for rolling out new services in the past two years, such as the medical chaperone service, where medical tourists are picked up from the airport and taken to hospital.

The association, together with NTUC Income, also announced a comprehensive medical insurance package to help taxi drivers at the celebrations.

A recent survey by the association had found that 53 per cent of cabbies have basic insurance or none at all.

Under the package, taxi drivers who are members of the six taxi operators’ associations will get to enjoy lifetime coverage. Hospital bills are covered from the first dollar, and this facility is extended to their family members.

The portability of the policy allows the drivers to remain covered even after leaving their jobs.

Mr Lim said he hopes the plan will encourage more taxi drivers to take up medical insurance.

Comfort cab driver Lily Chng was one of those who signed up for the insurance package. The 53-year-old, who has been driving a taxi for 20 years, currently has only a MediShield plan. 

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