CAG suspends airport mini-bus trial after cabbies voice concerns

Airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG) has suspended a trial of new mini-bus services for large groups of passengers at the airport until further notice, after simmering unhappiness among drivers of premium cabs reached a tipping point on Feb 13.

- Esther Loi

CAG said it did not approve any prioritisation of mini-bus services over the maxi-cabs, or how the mini-buses were dispatched.

Since the start of February, drivers of premium taxis or maxi-cabs began noticing changes in how they were allocated passengers at the airport's ground transport concierge, two drivers told The Straits Times.

Mr Jayamogan Mogan, 73, who is among about 170 premium taxi drivers picking up passengers from Changi Airport, said he used to be able to secure a ride after waiting 30 minutes to an hour, but had to wait in the holding area for up to four or five hours for passengers after the mini-bus trial was rolled out.

He added that the drivers were initially told by Woodlands Transport, which controls operations at the ground transport concierge, that these mini-buses would serve only bigger groups of passengers who could not fit into the maxi-cabs or those with a lot of luggage.

But the cabby of about 30 years said Woodlands Transport had been directing passengers in groups of three to six - who would normally go to the premium taxis to mini-buses that can fit 13 people each since the start of February.