New association set up to represent private hire vehicle drivers

Drivers of private hire vehicles such as limousines, cars and combi-buses will now have an association to represent them in discussions with companies such as Uber and Grab, and the Government, reported The Straits Times. 

The National Private Hire Vehicles Association was officially registered on May 3^rd and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) estimates there are around 6,000 to 8,000 full-time drivers of such vehicles here, and other part-time drivers, said NTUC on Wednesday (May 11^th).

The NTUC's Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit is supporting the association in its formation, after a group of drivers approached NTUC last year for help to set up an organisation. The unit's director for strategy Mr. S. Thiagarajan said at a media briefing that besides gaining a stronger voice, those who join the association will become members of the labour movement and will be able to access benefits such as free insurance, skills training support and bursaries for children.

A 15-member pro-term committee has been formed to drive recruitment efforts. Its secretary Shawn Ng, a limousine driver and Managing Partner of Riz and Partners Transportation Services, said they have met up with Land Transport Authority to give feedback on appropriate timings for in-class training and self-learning under the new licensing framework.