Private-Hire Driver Fined S$650 for Soliciting Passengers at HarbourFront Taxi Stand

Steven Gan Teck Guan told a passenger at Singapore’s HarbourFront Centre to check the Grab app for the price of his ride. The fare shown was about S$65. A court later fined the private-hire driver S$650 for loitering at the taxi stand to solicit passengers.

The incident came to the Land Transport Authority’s attention after Ranjit Singh Manjit Singh submitted feedback. Singh said he had returned from Batam, Indonesia, on March 31, 2024, and joined the taxi queue. Gan allegedly walked along the line and tried to attract passengers.

Gan told people, "The queue is long. You need a ride? My vehicle is over there, the one with the boot open". When Singh asked whether he was a taxi, Gan directed him to the Grab app and said the premium fare shown there would be his price. Singh then asked whether Gan was touting, and the two exchanged words.

“

The queue is long. You need a ride? My vehicle is over there, the one with the boot open

Gan, who represented himself, denied soliciting passengers. He argued that Singh had initiated the conversation and that he merely offered a fare, which Singh rejected. Gan also alleged that the LTA had fabricated the case and conspired with Singh to lure him into a trap.

The prosecution presented CCTV footage showing Gan at the taxi bay for more than half an hour, repeatedly walking near the queue and adjacent areas with his vehicle parked and its boot open. The judge found it clear that Gan had no booking at the time. An investigation officer said Grab, Gojek, TADA and Ryde Technologies had confirmed that Gan had no passenger booking.

“

I encountered a private-hire driver touting at HarbourFront Centre taxi stand ... He asked me to look at my Grab app for premium fare and that was his price. When I asked him if he was touting, he got defensive and started challenging me. His vehicle was also parked at the taxi bay. I hope LTA takes action against such drivers who hustle tourists.