Increasing number of qualified taxi drivers, although only a few take up the job

The number of licence holders reduced in 2008 and 2011, although the overall trend to obatain one is on a steady rise from 74,800 holders in 2005, the year which LTA first started publishing taxi industry data. With almost 400 new taxi driving licences issued monthly, The Straits Times estimates the 100,000 mark could have been passed last month, although official figures are not available yet.

Mr. Ang Hin Kee, Executive Secretary of the National Taxi Association (NTA), who represents more than 13,000 cabbies here told the local paper that the idea of taxi driving is attractive to people who prefer the independence of being a own boss. The body also added some took up the licence as a form of backup.

Newly minted cab drivers told the local paper that they were drawn to the job for its promise of earnings and flexibility. Karin Chua told the English daily the job is respectable and he could earn a decent living. Meanwhile, the flexible work hours allows Norizal Mohamed Hassan to spend more time with his wife and three-year old toddler.

However, industry experts believe the higher number of taxi licence holders does not equate to more taxis on the road. In contrast there are far fewer taxis here - about 27,700 - than taxi licence holders. The annual increase in the number of taxis is capped at two percent for taxi operators that have met LTA's operating standards.

According to Mr. Ang, not all who are permitted to drive a cab end up doing so. The local paper believes as much as half of the taxi licence holders are not active drivers.

A number of former cabbies the English daily spoke to mentioned that they stopped driving because the job was physically and mentally demanding. For example, Ms. Lee Qian Yi stopped working after four years after she met with an accident and added she found the job hectic and stressful.