Assessment of Uber's Security Measures
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Dr Lim Wee Kiak’s inquiry into Uber’s security measures and the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) safety assessments for private hire platforms. Minister Khaw Boon Wan stated that commuter safety is primarily maintained through the Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL) background screening scheme. The LTA disqualifies applicants with serious criminal or driving records and can suspend operators who repeatedly use unlicensed or inappropriately insured vehicles. Minister Khaw Boon Wan reported that private hire and limousine drivers were involved in 700 accidents and nine commuter-related crimes over the last year. These regulatory measures are reviewed regularly to ensure the continued safety and reliability of private hire car services for all commuters in Singapore.
Transcript
31 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport in light of Uber being denied licence renewal in London due to security and safety concerns (a) whether LTA has conducted assessments on Uber's security measures; (b) how satisfactory are those measures; (c) how many accidents and safety issues has Uber been involved in the past one year; and (d) what further measures will be implemented to improve safety and reliability of private hire car operators in Singapore.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan: We take commuter safety seriously. We rely primarily on the Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL) scheme, rather than the efforts of Uber or other ride platforms, to protect our commuters.
As part of the application process for a PDVL, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will screen the candidate's background and driving records. Individuals who have committed violent crimes or serious driving offences will be disqualified. Applicants are also required to attend courses and pass the requisite tests to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills. In addition, PDVL holders who are suspected of committing or are convicted of serious criminal or driving-related offences may have their PDVLs suspended or revoked.
On their part, private hire car booking service operators need to ensure that only licensed drivers and cars are deployed on their platforms. LTA can serve a General Suspension Order on private hire car booking service operators whose drivers have been convicted for three times over a 12-month period. The nature of convictions includes (a) providing private hire car services without a valid vocational licence, (b) using an unlicensed vehicle to provide services, or (c) using a private hire car that is inappropriately insured.
Last year, drivers for private hire car booking service operators and traditional limousine companies were involved in about 700 road accidents. These accidents could have happened when the driver was driving for hire and reward, or in his personal capacity. There were also nine instances where drivers for private hire car booking service operators were arrested for commuter-related crimes.
We review our policies regularly to ensure that they are effective in ensuring commuter safety.