Besides the complicating taxi fare structure (we have many taxi companies operating with different fare structure), taxis aren't easily available as we would like at certain time of the day.
After 9:30am on a weekday, one may find it difficult to get a cab. The reason is because the 25% extra charge between 6am and 9:30am no longer applies.
These last 2 days I need to catch a cab to the city around 10am but ended up taking a bus instead. I waited as long as 30 minutes but there was no taxi available.
During the evening, there will be a vacant taxi plying the street in front of my apartment every 2 minutes. But why is that so? Answer: because between 6pm and midnight the 25% surcharge applies.
During the period when the surcharge does not apply, the cabbies would be ferrying their spouses and children to the markets, shops etc. They would conveniently turn on the "busy" sign to tell their would-be passengers that they are ferrying other "passengers".
When Uber and Grab Taxis made their appearance a few years ago, the cabbies made a big fuss. They complained to the government that Uber and Grab are depriving them of a livelihood.
I do not use the taxi service often and so not affected by their poor service as much as my fellow Singaporeans and residents.
After 9:30am on a weekday, one may find it difficult to get a cab. The reason is because the 25% extra charge between 6am and 9:30am no longer applies.
These last 2 days I need to catch a cab to the city around 10am but ended up taking a bus instead. I waited as long as 30 minutes but there was no taxi available.
During the evening, there will be a vacant taxi plying the street in front of my apartment every 2 minutes. But why is that so? Answer: because between 6pm and midnight the 25% surcharge applies.
During the period when the surcharge does not apply, the cabbies would be ferrying their spouses and children to the markets, shops etc. They would conveniently turn on the "busy" sign to tell their would-be passengers that they are ferrying other "passengers".
When Uber and Grab Taxis made their appearance a few years ago, the cabbies made a big fuss. They complained to the government that Uber and Grab are depriving them of a livelihood.
I do not use the taxi service often and so not affected by their poor service as much as my fellow Singaporeans and residents.
2 comments:
Agree BT that our taxi service in Singapore need a big overhaul.
Only in Singapore will you have disappearing taxis when it rains or in between surcharges timing.
Where else in 1st world countries other than Singapore will one find taxi drivers picking and choosing their fares and exhibiting passive-aggressive behaviour when being told to go to Tampines or any 8 to 9 kilometres from Changi Airport.
Yes I totally concur with you that our taxi service sucks.
Taxi drivers here need serious comprehensive training from you on customer service.
Yes what hv said is true. Taxi drivers are proud people who sometimes think they are pilots.
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