Private-hire cars and taxi drivers can expect additional help to cope with the impact of the pandemic even after a support measure to help them defray costs will expire at the end of September.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor posted on her Facebook that she had engaged with taxi and private hire car (PHC) drivers and operators over the past few weeks.
These ongoing engagement sessions have helped her to better understand the industry’s circumstances and concerns amidst this pandemic.
Dr. Amy Khor highlighted that drivers are concerned about the impending expiry of the support measures. These support measures were announced as part of the Resilience Budget 2020 to help private-hire and taxi drivers.
A Self-employed Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) was also made available to drivers, which paid out to drivers a total sum of up to $9000.
Work-in-Progress
Dr. Amy Khor assured drivers on her Facebook page that they are working on a package of measures to continue to help them during this period.
They will take into consideration the feedback and suggestions received during their interactions.
The details of the package will be announced soon. 
Tough year for Private-hire and Taxi-Drivers
It has been a tough 2020 for the industry. Ridership hit rock-bottom during the earlier circuit breaker stage. Many drivers barely had a few trips per day and had to supplement their income with food and parcel delivery jobs.
Even as private-hire showed their impressive earnings on day 1 of phase 2, many drivers have reportedly earned considerably lesser than before.
