Cabbies cry foul over Uber’s ‘overly aggressive marketing efforts’

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SINGAPORE — Taxi drivers are crying foul over what they feel are overly aggressive marketing efforts by taxi- and car-booking platform Uber, which has been giving the taxi industry a run for its money.

Uber’s ambassadors have been offering promotion codes for free Uber rides in the vicinity of taxi stands — more recently at Changi City Point — to those who download the Uber application. These codes can only be used that same day. When TODAY visited Changi City Point, ambassadors were seen approaching passers-by near the taxi stand and offering to download the app and enter the promotion codes for them.

These tactics are understood to be legal and not considered touting — for example, they did not stop potential passengers from taking taxis. But the practice has further antagonised cabbies who feel hamstrung by laws governing the taxi industry while private drivers, operating under fewer requirements, are eating into their business.

Mr Philip Yap, a taxi driver of about six to seven years, sees these tactics as indirect touting.

The 47-year-old said: “I don’t mind competition, but at least be fair to us. We have to go through classes, exams, and (frequent) medical check-ups ... everything to get our licence. And what about these private car drivers? They are using loopholes to operate (their business).” He added that he was considering switching sides and becoming a private car driver instead, given operational costs for a taxi driver are higher.

A 50-year-old taxi driver who only wanted to be known as Mr Tan, said that regulations have to be revised with the changing landscape. “The rules 50 years ago cannot be applied today; it makes no sense. There were fewer taxis and cars then, and there are more now,” he said.

While it is up to companies such as Uber and GrabCar how they wish to market their businesses, Mr Tan felt taxi drivers’ needs should be considered. “When something like this suddenly happens, we feel helpless,” 
he added.

Mr Karun Arya, a spokesperson for Uber Southeast Asia, said the company has been doing this since it launched in Singapore two-and-a-half years ago. He explained: “Our brand ambassadors were near taxi stands marketing to people who are struggling to get transportation ... It is something we do worldwide in every city we are in, allowing people to have their first Uber experience for free.”

Last month, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan tasked Senior Minister of State (Transport) Ng Chee Meng to look into creating a level playing field for taxi drivers and private-car sharing apps; he acknowledged a balanced approach is called for.

National Taxi Association adviser Ang Hin Kee said the authorities have been meeting with the association and taxi drivers to understand their concerns about the current situation. He said: “Taxi drivers have been obeying and complying to a strict set of rules and structure, which has led to professionalism, good service and better standards. However, these rules are not the same for another group of drivers, thus it is going against what they are used to.”

Adding that the next meeting is due in a few weeks’ time, Mr Ang said: “We will ensure that while Singapore embark on creating innovative solutions to create more options for public transport, the drivers’ livelihoods are competed on a level playing field.”

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...keting-efforts


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