National Taxi Association (NTA) and National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) members searching for an affordable meal between fares can soon head down to Punggol.
Punggol Shore Grassroots Organisations and North East Community Development Council (NECDC) have rallied community partners Chang Cheng Group and Koufu Group to extend subsidised ‘Care Meals’ to drivers who are members of the two associations.
The initiative was announced at an appreciation event by NTA and NPHVA on 23 June 2022 at Punggol Plaza.
The event was held in honour of the sponsors and community partners who contributed to initiatives such as the Point-to-Point (P2P) Driver COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme and subsidised meals for P2P drivers.
At the event, NTA and NPHVA Advisor Yeo Wan Ling highlighted the financial challenges facing P2P drivers, such as working longer hours to cover rising operating costs.
“We’re glad to have been able to mobilise various partners, some which are new and even partners within the community, to come together as one. We believe that with all hands on deck, we can rally behind our drivers to give them the support they need and hope that these contributions will provide them with some relief,” said Ms Yeo.
The ‘Care Meals’ initiative will be piloted at Punggol Chang Cheng and Koufu outlets. Members of NTA and NPHVA will only be required to pay a token amount for selected food and beverage items.
More details on the ‘Care Meals’ will be released soon, according to Punggol Shore Grassroots Organisations and NECDC.
Appreciation event at Punggol Plaza on 23 June 2022.
The subsidised meals initiative comes after the P2P Driver COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme – which is an extension of the COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme.
The scheme is administered by the NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE), in collaboration with NTA and NPHVA.
The COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme was a one-off payment of up to $200 cash assistance for freelance and self-employed individuals affiliated with NTUC who tested positive for COVID-19.
On the other hand, the P2P Driver COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme provides eligible applicants, who have tested positive for COVID-19, with a one-off cash relief of $150.
The scheme was rolled out from 11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and was extended from 31 May 2022 to 30 June 2022.
The Ministry of Finance had also on 21 June 2022 announced that eligible taxi hirers and private hire drivers will get a one-off relief of $150 as part of a $1.5 billion support package.
The relief will be given in August this year. To qualify, private hire drivers must have completed an average of 200 trips per month from 1 Mar 2022 to 31 May 2022.
Additionally, combi-bus drivers, limousine drivers and delivery drivers and riders will get up to $300 in cash.
Combi bus and limousine drivers must be members of NPHVA, and delivery drivers and riders must be part of the National Delivery Champions Association to qualify for the relief.
They will have to apply under the U FSE Relief Scheme. More details will be released by August this year.
