In a move to curb the number of illegal taxi operators on the roads, the Land Transport Authority initiated a nationwide operation.

In only a week since the operation began, a total of 102 illegal operators have been booked, issued with Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) or provided with warning letters for contravening their license condition.

Additionally, 19 vehicles have been impounded as a result of habitually offending.

The LTA is urging all illegal private motor vehicle owners to stop operating illegally.

Additionally, members of the public are urged to refrain from using these illegal services but act as “watchdogs” and report illegal private motor vehicle operators to the LTA.

The illegal use of private motor vehicles to provide paid journey services to the public, is jeopardising road safety which can result in the loss of lives.

Additionally, these are vehicles that are not accordingly licensed or permitted by the LTA and so carrying passengers in a private vehicle for a price is illegal and it goes against the license condition of the illegal vehicle operator.

LTA Board Chairperson, Vijay Maharaj says that the public must know the bare consequences of travelling in a vehicle that is operating illegally, adding that illegal private motor vehicle operators are highly likely to discard passenger safety.

Moreover, he says that people needed to be mindful of their safety and make the right choices.

Maharaj is also urging taxis operators to beef up their service and ensure that they met the demand of the traveling public which will further assist in curbing the illegal operators.

So far this year, LTA has issued a total of 581 Traffic Infringement Notices nationwide to private motor vehicles for contravening their license condition to conduct illegal operations on the roads.