SINGAPORE : The service standards of taxi companies in Singapore will come under greater scrutiny from October.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will extend the monitoring of call-booking standards to include the morning peak period from 6am to 11am during weekdays.
This is to cater to high demand.
The results of taxi companies' monthly service performance and the quarterly Mystery Customer Audit (MCA) surveys will also be made public on LTA's website.
The Quality of Service standards specify the taxi companies' performance in three categories - safety, taxi drivers' conduct, and the availability of taxis through call booking.
The MCA surveys the service that taxi drivers provide to passengers in the course of their journeys, such as whether the drivers greet the customers and help with the luggage.
Penalties will be imposed on companies which fail to meet the standards.
The enhancements are part of on-going efforts to improve service levels in the industry.
From this month, information on taxi fares will also be provided at taxi stands for commuters' convenience.
LTA will also replace taxi signages at taxi stands outside the Central Business District (CBD) with the same distinctive layout and design as those in the CBD. This is to make it easier for commuters to identify taxi stands when they need a taxi.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim said: "Currently, LTA monitors the call booking performance of taxi companies over three-hour blocks that span the evening peak (period) from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays. LTA will now monitor this performance on an hourly basis to better reflect commuters' experience on the ground. This will motivate taxi companies to improve their operations and be more responsive to the changing demand for taxi services."
