SINGAPORE: The National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) has strongly condemned a violent incident involving a private hire driver who was assaulted by his passengers.
In a statement issued on 8 July 2025, NPHVA expressed concern over the matter and reaffirmed its stance against any form of violence or abuse directed at private hire drivers.
Driver assaulted after stopping passenger fight
According to earlier reports from Singapore-based media STOMP, the driver—identified only as Wind—was injured after attempting to intervene in a dispute between two male passengers.
Wind, 48, said the incident took place along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas, just before the Central Expressway (CTE), shortly after 3am on 4 July.
He recounted how his passengers, both intoxicated, began quarrelling while en route to their destination. Fearing a fight inside the vehicle, he asked them to stop.
Wind said one of the men became aggressive when he called the police, mocking him and attempting to punch him.
He stopped the car by the roadside and made the emergency call at 3.18am.
Soon after, the second passenger allegedly joined in the assault.
Wind reported being chased and attacked on lane 4 of the PIE, sustaining repeated blows even after falling to the ground.
He eventually managed to escape to lane 3, after which the attackers fled.
Despite multiple calls to the police, assistance arrived only at about 4.10am—nearly an hour after his initial call.
He told Stomp that many passing vehicles did not stop to help him during the attack.
Injuries include nose fracture and blood clot
A fellow PHV driver later stopped to help, and personnel from EMAS and Aetos responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, police called for an ambulance to attend to Wind.
Wind said he suffered injuries mostly to the head, including a minor nose fracture and a blood clot in his ear.
He was conscious during his transport to hospital and was discharged later that evening at his own request.
Driver criticises response from Grab
Speaking from his hospital bed, Wind criticised Grab’s response to the situation.
He claimed that despite being insured through the platform, the hotline provided limited assistance, initially directing him to file the insurance claim himself.
Grab only contacted him to check on his condition after Stomp had been informed of the incident, he said.
Wind expressed frustration about the state of the job, noting: “Fares are going down and passengers are unreasonable. Being a PHV driver really sucks.”
NPHVA offering support and assistance
In its official statement, NPHVA stated it is currently reaching out to Wind to offer support and assistance.
The association emphasised that every driver deserves to feel safe while working.
The group also reaffirmed its commitment to standing up for the welfare and safety of all private hire drivers.
In response to media queries, the police confirmed they received a call for assistance at around 3.20am on 4 July. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The post NPHVA condemns attack on Grab driver who was assaulted after intervening in passenger fight appeared first on The Online Citizen.
