Statistics on Point-to-point Trips for Private Hire Cars and for Taxis, and Proposal for Statutory Lifespan for Private Hire Cars

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Transport (a) for 2021 to date, what is the split in average daily number of point-to-point trips and total trips between private hire cars (PHCs) and taxis on a monthly basis; and (b) whether the Ministry is considering imposing a statutory lifespan for cars used as PHCs.

For the first eight months of 2021, there were 550,500 daily point-to-point trips on average, of which around 42% were taxi trips and around 58% were private hire car (PHC) trips.

The Government takes into consideration vehicle safety and road worthiness when determining whether to impose a statutory lifespan. A statutory lifespan of eight years has been imposed on taxis due to their high mileage compared to private cars including PHCs. Taxis have, on average, around twice the mileage of PHCs. There is thus no intention to impose a statutory lifespan for PHCs.

Nonetheless, under the point-to-point regulatory framework implemented in 2020, all PHCs are required to undergo annual vehicle inspections to ensure road worthiness, compared to once every two years for cars between three and 10 years old. We will continue to monitor the safety outcomes and review our regulations as necessary.