The Land Transport Authority (LTA) booked and impounded the vehicles of two car drivers and a motorcyclist during an enforcement operation conducted earlier in May.
On Tuesday, LTA announced in a Facebook post that they targeted motorists who offer illegal carpooling and motorcycle-pooling services during the operations.
The three vehicles shared by LTA showed it was a Volkswagen with carbon fibre body kit and sticker, a powerful Kia Stinger and a scrambler motorcycle. It was not mentioned on why they committed the offence.
LTA strongly encourages commuters to book point-to-point transport services, including commercial car-pooling services, only via licensed business platforms for their safety.
Telegram Group Chat
Riders resort to booking cheaper rides on Telegram chat groups during periods of high demand when fares surge.
These chat groups are not new and have been around for years and have more than 100,000 members in the group.
The largest chatgroup SG Hitch was forced to stop back in 2000 during the pandemic. It seems like they are back and has even more members than before.
This practice of booking rides through unlicensed channels not only violates transportation regulations but also poses a risk to the rider’s safety.
Licensed ride-hailing platforms are designed to prioritize the safety and security of both drivers and passengers. These platforms are subject to strict regulations and are required to adhere to stringent safety standards, including driver background checks, vehicle inspections, and insurance coverage.
In contrast, booking rides through unauthorized channels may result in the use of unlicensed vehicles and drivers who do not meet the safety standards enforced by licensed platforms.
LTA charged six drivers in court for the offence of illegal carpooling from 2020 to 2023, and all of them received a fine of $1,200.
Additionally, they were found guilty of not holding the necessary third-party motor insurance and were fined $600. As a result, they were disqualified from driving for 12 months.
