Ang Hin Kee to represent cabbies, private-hire drivers

He has been championing cabbies' rights for six years, but labour MP Ang Hin Kee will now represent the interests of Uber and Grab drivers. Mr. Ang, Executive Adviser to the National Taxi Association (NTA), will fulfil the same role for the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) from today. He takes over from Mr. S. Thiagarajan, who has led the 5,700-member NPHVA since it was registered in May 2016.

While private-hire car services, which entered the market in 2013, are seen as competitors to taxis, Mr. Ang sees no conflict in representing both associations. In fact, two alliances formed between taxi operators and ride-hailing services mean both groups of drivers now face a common set of challenges, he said.

Earlier this month, Singapore's largest taxi firm, ComfortDelGro, teamed up with Uber to pool private-hire cars and taxis under a common booking service called UberFlash, with fares that vary, based on demand. Uber's rival Grab made a similar move with the five other taxi operators last March.

Mr. Ang said that when private-hire car services entered the market, he called for a level playing field with the taxis, and the authorities subsequently introduced a vocational licence for drivers, similar to those required for cabbies. He said he hoped to 'champion common challenges, especially in the areas of moderating the current rental and fare structure, enhancing the road worthiness and safety of vehicles, and ensuring all ride service drivers are taxed fairly.'

But some cabbies are sceptical of Mr. Ang taking on both roles, saying the issues advocated by the NPHVA affect their livelihoods. Cabby Henry Tay, 48, one of the NTA's 19,700 members, said, "The NPHVA has asked the authorities to allow private-hire cars to use the taxi stand to pick up passengers, which will affect the flow of cabs and impede our business. In future, will they ask to take street-hailed rides too?"

NTA President Raymond Ong, 59, said he was 'concerned' about how NTA members will take the news, but added, "Both associations have different interests that have to be ironed out. We will see how it goes." Mr. Ang maintains that there will be no changes to the way taxis or private-hire cars operate, "The only difference is that both associations will be working together, as a common voice, to look at common interests and common challenges."