News

LTA Not Handing Out PMD-Sharing Licenses Any Time Soon As There Are More Safety Concerns To Tackle

2019-10-02 , 5:00 am

With the recent outbreak of PMD related fires and the various PMD related accidents – with one resulting in the death of a 65-year-old lady, it just seems as if Singapore can’t get enough of PMD-related news.

And so here I am, delivering yet another PMD-related news.

Nope, no reckless drivers or fires this time, but the update on the PMD-sharing licence.

If you remember, a while back, LTA had promised for PMD-Sharing Licences to be awarded in May 2019.

However, it was announced in May 2019 that it would be delayed until the third quarter of the year.

Now, it’s the third quarter of the year, and LTA has come forward to announce that it will be once again be delayed.

And it seems like the recent accidents are to blame.

PMD-Sharing Licence

In November last year, it was announced that companies could apply to operate PMD sharing services under the Land Transport Authority (LTA) device-sharing licence.

Licence applications opened in January this year and it saw 14 companies vying for the LTA licence.

First Cancellation

Back in May, LTA had said that they required more time to review and to impose additional requirements on licensees to ensure the safety of users and the general public.

Companies were told that the results of the licences will be delayed until the end of September 2019.

This comes after the incidents of reckless rising and accidents involving PMDs.

Some companies were disappointed but some understood where LTA was coming from and even felt that it was “necessary”.

LTA To Consult Device-Sharing And Rental Companies

Hello, September.

Well, October actually.

But anyways, months have passed since the last word on the licence.

Accidents due to the reckless riders had continued to increase and had even caused two deaths recently.

Companies continue to wait for the results of their licence applications.

And to their disappointment (again), it has been further postponed.

Apparently, LTA will consult device-sharing and rental companies on extra regulations to improve public safety.

It is part of a review to extend safety measure to all electric-scooter sharing and rental companies as they provide devices that are more easily accessible to the public, including less experienced riders.

Trackers To Be Rolled Out In PMDs?

That’s what some people are suggesting.

It would be able to monitor the speed and location of the vehicles to ensure that riders are not using them on the roads.

However, LTA noted that there are many issues that come along with the trackers.

For one, they would have to make sure that the data from the device is accurate and that it is tamper-proof.

Certainly not easy, considering that monitoring the speed of vehicles on the road is already an uphill task.

Active Mobility Advisory Panel Urged Government For Theory Test

Last Friday, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel had urged Government to implement a theory test, ban the use of mobile phones unless mounted or used in a hands-free manner and impose a minimum age requirement of 16 for all e-scooter riders on public paths.

Those below 16-years-old can only ride under adult supervision.

They have also recommended that the Government mandate businesses to obtain third-party liability insurance which would allow for victims to file claims for damages to cover e-scooter riders who use the vehicles for work.

So, what do you think?