Profile of Active Female Taxi Drivers

2 Mr Ang Hin Kee asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the percentage of active taxi drivers who are females; (b) whether the Ministry has the demographics and profiles of these female taxi drivers; (c) what are the common challenges faced by them at work; and (d) whether there are any specific measures or schemes to assist them.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: About 2.5% of active taxi drivers are female, with the following age profile:

We understand that they are primarily concerned about their personal safety and prefer not to drive to remote areas at night or ferry drunk passengers. To address these concerns, which are also shared by some male taxi drivers, taxi companies have installed panic buttons for taxi drivers to alert their company when in distress. The companies can then alert the Police and the taxi drivers who are nearby to render assistance.