Taxi operators just don’t get it. If they want to stop the operation of illegal taxis they must step up and provide the level of service the public want.

They should heed the advice of Paulini Tora, regional manager West of the Land Transport Authority.

Taxi operators must provide 24/7 services. If they can do this, they will gradually drive out the illegal operation.

Taxi operators cannot afford to refuse short trips and prefer longer journeys only. They also cannot afford to limit their operation to day services only or night services only.

Passengers who get turned back because there are no taxis will look for pirate taxis.

The transport industry is a 24-hour business. It does not go to sleep or rest. The onus is on taxi operators to provide that service that people want at any time of the day or night.

That’s what they signed for when they applied for their taxi permits. If they can’t provide the service, they need to surrender their permits to someone else who can. Service should be the number one priority.