Ride-hailing bookings updated with child seat and wheelchair space options

These changes have been effective since November.

Ride-hailing passengers with children and seniors or persons with disabilities are now able to indicate their need for child seats or boot space for foldable wheelchairs more easily at the point of booking a ride, the Ministry of Transport said.

Effective since November, these changes are part of the ongoing structure and regulatory framework review of Singapore’s point-to-point transport (P2P) industry.

Starting January 2025, operators will also be required to inform the Land Transport Authority (LTA), commuters, and drivers within an hour of the confirmation of a systemic incident that could impair P2P services.

Operators planning to exit the market will also be required to provide LTA with an exit plan and a minimum notice of 120 calendar days, up from the current 60-day period.

They must also inform commuters and drivers of their exit at least 60 calendar days prior to the date of surrender of their licence.

Other updates on the regulatory regime for taxis and private hire cars (PHC), effective 1 January 2025 also include the extension of the statutory lifespan of non-electric taxis from 8 to 10 years and the reduction of the inspection frequency for taxis below three years old to once a year.

Meanwhile, the inspection frequency for PHCs above 10 years old will be increased to once every six months and call-booking requirements will be removed for smaller taxi operators.