The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is continuing its crackdown on taxi drivers who solicit, overcharge or refuse passengers, with 14 drivers nabbed at hot spots like Boat Quay, Chijmes, Clark Quay, Mustafa Centre, Orchard Towers and Shenton Way in its latest 13-day operation.

Six drivers were guilty of overcharging while eight had refused customers during checks made from 19 November to 1 December. November to early December.

A total of 130 taxi drivers have been caught since LTA's clampdown that started in October this year.

52 Notice of Traffic Offences (NTO) have been issued, with more to follow after LTA completes its investigations.

9 of these taxi drivers stand to lose their vocational licences, while another 10 will be suspended between 2 - 8 weeks.

Those caught on or after 19 November 2007 will be subject to the heavier penalties, and face immediate suspension or revocation of their vocational licence.

CHECKS ON OTHER NIGHT SPOTS

"While the number of errant taxi drivers caught has decreased substantially since the stiffer penalties took effect, we will continue to be vigilant in our enforcement activities." said Mr Jeremy Yap, LTA's Acting Group Director for Vehicle & Transit Licensing.

"Besides the regular 'hotspots' for errant taxi drivers, our enforcement officers are also carrying out surveillance at other popular night spots such as along Beach Road, Chinatown, Lau Pa Sat and North Bridge Road to ensure that the errant taxi drivers have not merely moved their activities to other areas."

Members of the public can call LTA's hotline at 1800-CALL LTA (1800-225 5582) to give feedback or report errant taxi drivers.