Additional S$27m support for Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund

Singapore

THE government has set aside an additional S$27 million to provide an extra S$10 per vehicle per day top-up through the Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF) from May 16 to end-June, even as it mulls a further extension beyond the current tranche.

"We need to look at the overall circumstances because as we know, the situation is still evolving," said Transport Minister S Iswaran at a door stop on Friday. "Our intention is to closely track the developments over the next several weeks before arriving at an assessment and therefore a recommendation on what to do going forward."

The latest injection of funds is in addition to the S$188 million previously committed for CDRF payments from January to June 2021. In total, the approximately 16,000 taxi drivers and 40,000 private hire vehicle drivers will receive S$25 per vehicle per day, up from the existing S$15 per vehicle per day. This works out to be S$750 per vehicle per month until the end of June.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a statement that it will work with the operators to implement the enhanced CDRF by end-May.

According to LTA figures, taxi and private-hire vehicle ridership was about 80 per cent pre-Covid levels as of April. Following the transition into Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), ridership has declined to around 55 per cent. This is expected to be further impacted following the shift to full home-based learning which took place on May 19.

Mr Iswaran also said that others in the ecosystem have stepped up support for drivers. ComfortDelGro had earlier announced a 50 per cent rental waiver for its drivers, while other taxi operators have also committed to provide additional rental discounts of at least S$5 per day above their current commitment of S$10 per day to their drivers. In total, taxi operators have pledged around S$28 million in additional taxi rental discounts.

Grab is providing rebates to eligible drivers and rental waivers for qualifying Grab rentals drivers. Gojek has also reduced the commissions it takes from its drivers.

CapitaLand, meanwhile, has extended the grace period for drivers to 30 minutes, and have set up designated dining areas for front-line staff and delivery riders. Mr Iswaran called on other mall operators and private sector partners to do the same, adding that HDB and URA will be extending their grace period from the current 10 minutes to 20 minutes starting on Sunday.

As for fears that the airborne transmission of the virus could occur on public transport, Mr Iswaran said the current measures in place are based on prevailing scientific evidence and medical advice.

"We are closely tracking this because if there is any evidence that we need to adopt additional measures because of certain characteristics, whether it's about the virus or its transmission patterns, we will do so."

Separately, Mr Iswaran said Singapore remains committed to wanting to reopen for cross-border travel.

"This is something we are committed to, and we will continue to work with all our partners to achieve them. But I think we need to make sure that when we do so, it is done in a manner that is safe so that not just the partner countries, but all the passengers and service providers - including airline staff and airport staff - are assured that their safety is well protected . . .

"We need to focus on a safe reopening, and that will continue to be the effort that we will undertake together with our like-minded partners."