Relax - Private van operators tout at Sentosa

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SINGAPORE - Private van operators have reportedly been touting for business at Sentosa Beach Station, and according to a concerned member of the public, it is getting out of hand.

Likened to vultures, the touts were described as "aggressive" and "persistent" in pushing for tourists to take up their services, according to Dennis, who wrote in to citizen journalism website Stomp about the issue.

According to him, there are as many as 10 private van operators touting every night between 7.45pm to 9.45pm, especially during weekends.

The touts apparently charge each tourist $10 for a short trip between Sentosa and VivoCity or $25 for longer distances to other destinations outside of the island.

Concerned about the negative impression that touting might give to visitors, Dennis said: "They can be rather aggressive and persistent in touting their services and when the crowd dies down, most of them would position themselves in front of the taxi stand like vultures waiting to pick on the remaining visitors."

"They spread themselves out at Sentosa Beach Station after the Songs of the Sea performance, whereby many tourists and visitors are rushing towards the taxi stand/monorail station."

"The presence and behaviour of these private van operators at a tourist hot spot is shocking and sends out a very bad impression of Singapore," he added.

Dennis suspects that the touts have gone undetected because there are usually large crowds of people at the Sentosa Beach Station and it will be hard for the authorities to tell the touts - dressed in plain clothes - apart from the visitors.

Sentosa told AsiaOne that it is investigating the incident.

Director of Security of Sentosa Leisure Group, Mr Koh Piak Huat, said: "Guest experience is our priority and we certainly do not condone any form of illegal touting and harassment of our guests."

"Members of the public can approach any Sentosa staff if they encounter such situations," he added.

The island operator also advised guests leaving Sentosa from the Sentosa Beach Station to use the Sentosa Express or licensed bus and taxi operators.

maryanns@sph.com.sg

Private van operators tout at Sentosa

AsiaOne | Thu, Aug 16 2012

According to one concerned member of the public, the touting is getting out of hand.

Keywords

sentosa

tout

bus