A new campaign has been launched to address the issue of fare evasion in taxis and private-hire vehicles. Despite a significant drop in reported cases in 2024, fare evasion remains a problem that affects drivers' livelihoods.
In 2024, 92 cases of passengers refusing to pay their fares were reported to the authorities, nearly half the 198 cases recorded in 2023. The figures had been increasing over the years, with 170 cases in 2022 and 96 in 2021. Some individuals were repeat offenders, evading fares multiple times.
To tackle this issue, a campaign titled "Ride Clean, Pay the Fare" was introduced on February 10. It encourages passengers to pay their fares and maintain cleanliness in vehicles. Over 3,400 decals promoting the initiative have been distributed to be displayed in taxis and private-hire cars. The campaign will also feature short video reels to raise awareness about responsible passenger behavior.
Despite the decline in reported fare evasion cases, some drivers believe the problem persists. A taxi driver shared that many fare evaders claim they do not have cash and ask to pay via cashless methods like PayNow, only to later claim their banking apps are undergoing maintenance. They promise to transfer the money later but never follow through. Reporting such incidents to ride-hailing operators often requires filing a police report, which can take up to two hours. Many drivers feel it is not worth the time and effort for smaller fares.
A private-hire driver mentioned that she has become more cautious, prioritizing passengers who pay by card instead of cash. To avoid fare evasion, she requests cash-paying passengers to transfer the money at the start of the trip. She also avoids picking up such passengers during late hours when the risk of non-payment is higher.
Most passengers use card payments or other digital methods, reducing the likelihood of fare evasion. However, for those who refuse to pay, ride-hailing platforms have different approaches. A major taxi operator receives around 1,700 fare evasion reports annually and compensates drivers first before recovering the amount from passengers. One ride-hailing platform stated that fare evasion is rare and usually due to human error. Another reimburses drivers but requires them to file a police report before receiving payment. Another platform compensates drivers within three working days after verification and may ban repeat offenders.
Authorities advise drivers to keep trip details such as pickup and drop-off locations, as well as the passenger’s name and contact information, to facilitate investigations. If a passenger refuses to pay, drivers can report the case to the operator or escalate it to the authorities. In some cases, they may also drive the passenger to the nearest police station.
Fare evasion is a chargeable offense under the law. First-time offenders face a fine of $200, while second-time offenders must pay $400. Those who repeatedly evade fares or refuse to pay even after being fined may be charged in court.
Besides fare evasion, another issue that affects drivers is passengers soiling their vehicles. From 2021 to 2024, a taxi operator received an average of 19 to 38 cleaning claims per year due to passengers vomiting in vehicles. Ride-hailing platforms offer reimbursements for cleaning costs if drivers provide photo evidence and receipts. However, drivers are not compensated for the time lost while having their vehicles cleaned, which could take several hours.
Some drivers now avoid picking up intoxicated passengers, especially those paying in cash, as they worry about both fare disputes and vehicle cleaning costs. One private-hire driver shared that she would cancel a trip if she saw a drunk passenger lying on the ground to avoid potential issues.
This campaign seeks to foster respect and accountability between drivers and passengers. While authorities are implementing measures to reduce fare evasion and promote responsible behavior, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will have a lasting impact.
Comments
Post a Comment