A man believed to be a private hire vehicle driver has been filmed allegedly touting for paying passengers at Sentosa.

A two-minute video showing the PHV driver speaking to visitors at Sentosa, before getting them to board his car, has been circulated on the Singapore Taxi Driver Facebook group.

Private hire vehicle tout confirmed

The video is believed to have been taken by a taxi driver, who had stopped at the taxi stand to pick up passengers.

It filmed the driver who was allegedly touting carrying out his operation from start to finish.

Once four to five passengers had boarded the private hire vehicle, believed to be a Honda Stream with a private hire decal displayed, the video turned to the passenger on board the car of the driver who was filming.

The passenger was then asked to vouch that the private hire driver had touted by asking for S$50 for a trip to Regent hotel in Orchard area from Sentosa.

The passenger replied in the affirmative.

Same driver allegedly filmed touting before

Responses to the video were highly negative, with many accusing the driver who allegedly touted of "spoiling market" and giving other drivers a bad name.

Some of those who commented said they recognise the man who allegedly touted, having seen him do it regularly at Marina Bay Sands.

A video put up in July 2018 supposedly showed the same man confronted for touting and picking up a passenger at MBS:

The vehicle was different then, as it appeared to be a black Toyota.

[related_story]

Offence

Under the Road Traffic Act, private hire cars are barred from touting or accepting street hails.

The maximum penalty is six months’ jail and/ or up to S$3,000 fine.

The vehicle used may be forfeited.

In end-2016, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) sounded the warning saying uniformed and plainclothes enforcement officers will make more rounds at places such as Clarke Quay, East Coast Seafood Centre, HarbourFront Centre, Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, and the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari to catch touts.