A TOTAL of 102 illegal taxi operators were booked by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) during a weeklong operation nationwide aimed at curbing the practice on the roads.
According to LTA, these operators were issued with Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) or provided with warning letters for contravening their license condition.
In a statement issued today, LTA stated that they also impounded 19 vehicles as a result of habitually offending.
With this, the LTA has urged all illegal private motor vehicle owners to stop operating illegally.
Additionally, LTA has also urged members of the public to refrain from using these illegal services but act as “watchdogs” and report illegal private motor vehicle operators to the LTA.
LTA board chairperson Vijay Maharaj said the public must know the bare consequences of travelling in a vehicle that is operating illegally.
“Illegal private motor vehicle operators are highly likely to discard passenger safety,” Mr Maharaj said.
“LTA continues to embark on the journey of creating safer roads and for this, it needs to curb illegal operations and unfriendly road safety behaviours.”
The illegal use of private motor vehicles to provide paid journey services to the public, according to LTA, is jeopardizing road safety which can result in the loss of lives.
LTA stated that these vehicles were not accordingly licensed or permitted by the authority and so carrying passengers in a private vehicle for a price is illegal and goes against the license condition of the illegal vehicle operator.
Mr Maharaj has also urged the taxis to beef up their service and ensure that they met the demand for the service which will further assist in curbing the illegal operators.
Apart from this, Mr Maharaj has urged all drivers to be cautious on the roads.
“Be mindful of the safety of the passengers who have bestowed their trusts on you (drivers) in due course of their destined journey,” Mr Maharaj said.
One little mischief on the road can cost innocent lives.
So far this year, LTA has issued a total of 581 TINs nationwide to private motor vehicles for contravening their license condition to conduct illegal operations on the roads.
