To say that the recent ban of e-scooters on Singapore footpaths is contentious is an understatement.
Errant riders, exploding e-scooters, and fatal accidents were cited as the reasons why a number of Singaporeans expressed their approval of the ban.
On the flipside, others have also brought up that the livelihoods of food delivery riders, many of whom use e-scooters for deliveries, are also heavily affected by the ban.
In light of this, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has just announced that it has formulated a Transition Assistance Package (TAP) with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to provide comprehensive assistance to affected food delivery riders.
In a press release, they state that they have been working with food delivery companies Grab, Deliveroo, and Foodpanda to mitigate the impact for about 7,000 riders who use e-scooters for work.
We have taken a whole of Singapore approach to help these riders tide over this transition period.
Ministry of Transport
Together with NTUC, MOM, MSF, and the food delivery companies, the Package comprises of three main components.
1. For Riders Who Intend To Stay On
For riders who intend to stay on in the job, the Government and the three major food delivery companies have set up a S$7 million e-scooter Trade-in Grant (eTG) to provide funding assistance for the affected food delivery riders to switch to bicycles, Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs) or Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs).
LTA will match dollar-for-dollar the food delivery companies’ funding support for their food delivery riders who trade in their existing e-scooters for alternative LTA-approved devices.
Each rider will receive an eTG of up to $1,000 for PABs or $600 for bicycles.
Delivery riders with mobility difficulties who wish to continue working for their delivery company will also receive an eTG of up to $1,000.
This scheme will be administered by the food delivery companies which “are also working with retailers to bulk purchase and bring down costs of these devices”.
To qualify for the eTG, the riders must be existing e-scooter food delivery riders as at 7 Nov 2019, and must surrender their e-scooters at disposal points located at Grab, Deliveroo, and Foodpanda’s premises.
Delivery riders who work for more than one company will only be eligible for one eTG disbursement.
The eTG scheme will operate till 31 Dec 2019.
- Riders interested in the scheme can contact the food delivery companies directly.
2. For Riders Who Are Considering Other Job Options
For riders intending to consider other job options, NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) are already working with the three food delivery companies to provide career services and job search support under the Adapt and Grow initiative.
Affected riders will receive customised information on career events starting from next week.
- Riders interested can contact WSG directly via hotline (68835885), or visit any of the five WSG’s Careers Connect and NTUC’s e2i centres for immediate assistance.
3. For Riders With Immediate Financial Difficulties
For riders who are facing immediate financial difficulties, the Ministry of
Social and Family Development’s (MSF) and ComCare schemes would be available to provide temporary financial assistance.
- Riders may approach the nearest Social Service Office or their nearest PA Community Club for assistance.
