Monday, 12 May 2003

Taxi Drivers To Get SARS Battle Kit
- TODAY

When the SARS crisis struck, taxi drivers were badly hit as they cruised empty streets. But even now, helping hands are continuing to reach out.

A campaign to arm 20,000 cabbies will be armed with a Taxi SARS Battle Kit will be launched today. The kit comprises two thermometers - one each for the hirer and his relief driver, protective masks, a bottle of hand disinfectant and alcohol wipes. They will be given out from May 19 and are sponsored by Singapore Pools to the tune of $518,000.

Other organisations like churches are also chipping in to help.

Over the weekend, 1,000 pastors and leaders from Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC) took a taxi each and distributed blessing hongbaos to the taxi drivers, on top of the fare paid.

Each hongbao contained $10, bringing the total sum given out to $10,000.

While such hongbaos are a morale booster, the battle kits will help the cabbies to guard against SARS.

Indeed, since the launch of the temperature checks for cabbies at stations around the island, the number of cabbies who have gone for these checks daily have gone up from 5,000 to 20,000.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Seng Han Tong said this shows that cabbies recognise the importance of social responsibility in fighting SARS.

Although Singaporeans are again living life as normal and business is on the upswing for cabbies, the Taxi Industry Task Force says the need for vigilance remains.

The Task Force was formed to help taxi drivers affected by SARS and to put in place precautionary measures to re-assure the commuting public that taxis remain a safe mode of transport.