Premium taxi drivers, including Maxicab drivers, gathered at Changi Airport on 13 Feb 2025 to complain against a new system that allegedly prioritized minibuses over taxis for passenger pickups.
What Happened
The issue began on 1 Feb 2025 when Woodlands Transport Service took over the Ground Transport Concierge (GTC) at Changi Airport’s arrival hall.
Mr Wu (name transliterated from Mandarin), a 44-year-old Maxicab driver, reported that his income dropped by more than half after the new operator introduced minibuses. For 25 years, ComfortDelGro and SMRT’s six and seven-seater taxi drivers could queue outside the arrival hall if they arrived early.
This changed in February when drivers noticed minibuses receiving priority for passenger pickups. “Staff at the counter would direct passengers to minibuses first. Our daily trips dropped from five or six to just one or two,” Mr Wu said.
Despite multiple attempts at negotiation through appointed representatives, the drivers received no satisfactory response.
On 13 Feb 2025, about 50 drivers assembled at the waiting area.
Morgan (name transliterated from Mandarin), a 73-year-old driver representative with 25 years of experience, said his income halved after the changes.
During a site visit on Thursday afternoon, Shin Min Daily News reporters observed three minibuses parked outside the arrival hall, while about 50 premium taxis waited in the designated area.
Changi Airport Group’s Response
CAG’s group senior vice-president for airport operations planning, Mr Albert Lim, clarified that the minibus service was a trial and intended to serve groups larger than six people.
“Regrettably, the trial implementation of this new service has led to some misunderstanding between the ground transport concierge and some of the large-taxi drivers.
“Certainly, CAG did not approve any prioritisation of the mini-bus service over the maxi-cabs, as well as the way the mini-buses were dispatched,” he said.
The trial has since been suspended, and the system reverted to its previous state on 14 Feb 2025, with drivers resuming their airport pickups.
Mr Wu confirmed receiving notification from Changi Airport Group about the restoration of the original work allocation system.
The National Taxi Association and National Private Hire Vehicles Association quickly stepped in to address the situation.
Yeo Wan Ling, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and advisor to both associations, said they received drivers’ feedback emails on 11 Feb 2025 and immediately contacted Changi Airport Group.
The associations emphasized that this incident was not a strike, as drivers continued providing services when needed, and taxi services at Changi Airport remained uninterrupted.
What Are Premium Taxis in Singapore?
Premium taxis and maxicabs in Singapore offer specialized transportation services with larger vehicles and enhanced comfort. Maxicabs typically range from 6 to 13 seaters, with popular options including the Toyota Alphard, Mercedes Benz V-class, and Toyota Hi-Ace Combi. These services provide fixed pricing structures, with one-way airport transfers starting from $60-75 depending on vehicle size and type.
These premium services operate 24 hours a day throughout Singapore, with most providers promising arrival times of 15-20 minutes after booking. They cater to various needs including airport transfers, corporate events, hotel transfers, and wheelchair-accessible transportation, offering amenities like separate luggage storage space and professional drivers.
Companies like Premier Taxis also operate luxury fleet options under brands such as SilverArrow and SilverStar, featuring vehicles like the Skoda Superb and Mercedes Benz E-220.
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