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U turn on Elite Taxi Queue in Changi Airport

RadX

By RadX,
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RadX

RadX

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U-turn so fast...

 

TODAY reports: A one-month trial of having a separate queue for premium taxis at Changi Airport's Terminal 1 "to ensure efficient despatch of taxis" has been halted abruptly after just one day.

changi-airport-premium.jpgThe trial of a separate premium-taxi queue at Changi Airport Terminal 1 has been stopped, airport staff said. (Photo: TODAY)

SINGAPORE: Changi Airport on Tuesday (Dec 9) abruptly discontinued a one-month trial of a separate queue for premium taxis at Terminal 1 (T1) — only a day after it started, following strong unhappiness expressed by cabbies at the arrangement.

The trial began on Monday, but when TODAY visited T1 late Tuesday night, staff said it has been stopped.

Pictures and videos had circulated online of lines of premium taxis blaring horns and parked along the road leading up to the T1 taxi stand. The staff confirmed there had been a commotion, but were unable to say why the trial had been discontinued.

Speaking to TODAY on Tuesday night, several premium-taxi drivers, who declined to be named, said there had been a WhatsApp message going around asking cabbies of premium taxis to congregate at T1 on Monday night to show their displeasure.

A premium-cab driver, who identified himself only as Mr Liang, lamented that the new system made it difficult for premium taxis to attract customers, with few people in the dedicated queue for these taxis, which charge higher rates.

TRIAL MEANT TO OPTIMISE EFFICIENCY

When contacted, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) declined to comment on the reasons for halting the trial and whether it will resume.

In a statement issued to the media on Monday, a CAG spokesperson said the trial was meant to provide commuters with clearer taxi choices while optimising operational efficiency in despatching taxis.

“The trial involves the creation of a separate queue for premium taxis at the taxi queue area with a dedicated queue line for passengers who wish to take premium taxis,” she said, adding that this service would be offered daily from 3pm to 1.30am and would continue until Jan 7.

She added: “In addition, within the taxi holding area, regular taxis and premium taxis are segregated into two lanes to ensure efficient despatch of taxis.”

Prior to implementation, consultations were carried out with the National Taxi Association and various taxi operators, who expressed support for the trial, the spokesperson said.

She said the system had worked well when the trial commenced on Monday afternoon, especially during the evening peak period from 4pm to 6pm. “Passenger feedback was positive too, with commuters who were prepared to pay a higher metered fare for a premium taxi service lauding the clearer choices presented to them prior to joining the taxi queues.”

The spokesperson said there had been a significant surge in the supply of premium taxis at the airport late on Monday night, resulting in a longer waiting time for taxi drivers.

“We acknowledge the unhappiness expressed by some premium-taxi drivers,” she said, adding that CAG will monitor the situation, make adjustments and work with the relevant stakeholders.

-TODAY/xk

 

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The_Bear

The_Bear

Turbocharged

and they almost protest...hahah

 

sure tmr lim kopi...ad u know where

It goes all the way back to why do we even have premium taxi in the first place. All taxis should be premium. Take those old junks off the road, reduce the number of taxis by 50%, increase taxi fare by 200%, improve the standard of service. Install multiple cameras on taxis and fire all incompetent drivers.
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Watwheels

Watwheels

Supersonic
(edited)

Those lovely signboards....got to throw away lor?

 

Actually most countries I've been too also have premium taxis going around.

Edited by Watwheels
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Ktglfc

Ktglfc

Hypersonic

of course u-turn la

different queue means "no way" to chop robert liao

 

Frankly speaking I actually supported this idea.

Give ppl / tourists a choice to select between taking regular or premium...

if wanna pay more, just go to the premium row, and board one

 

Those premium taxis blasting their horns really show their hooligans behaviour...

By their "show", it will leave a bad impression on tourists coming to Singapore..

 

Anyway, there is proper channel to address their concerns, and this is definitely not the one.

 

I hope the relevant authorities will come in, and invite the instigators to lim-kopi !

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Achtung

Achtung

6th Gear

Travellers who pay out of their own pocket will not take premium cabs. For company trips, I do not care and will just board.

 

Even ang mor knows that premium cabs have higher flag off fee and the meter jump faster.

 

U-turn so fast...

 

TODAY reports: A one-month trial of having a separate queue for premium taxis at Changi Airport's Terminal 1 "to ensure efficient despatch of taxis" has been halted abruptly after just one day.
changi-airport-premium.jpgThe trial of a separate premium-taxi queue at Changi Airport Terminal 1 has been stopped, airport staff said. (Photo: TODAY)

SINGAPORE: Changi Airport on Tuesday (Dec 9) abruptly discontinued a one-month trial of a separate queue for premium taxis at Terminal 1 (T1) — only a day after it started, following strong unhappiness expressed by cabbies at the arrangement.

The trial began on Monday, but when TODAY visited T1 late Tuesday night, staff said it has been stopped.

Pictures and videos had circulated online of lines of premium taxis blaring horns and parked along the road leading up to the T1 taxi stand. The staff confirmed there had been a commotion, but were unable to say why the trial had been discontinued.

Speaking to TODAY on Tuesday night, several premium-taxi drivers, who declined to be named, said there had been a WhatsApp message going around asking cabbies of premium taxis to congregate at T1 on Monday night to show their displeasure.

A premium-cab driver, who identified himself only as Mr Liang, lamented that the new system made it difficult for premium taxis to attract customers, with few people in the dedicated queue for these taxis, which charge higher rates.

TRIAL MEANT TO OPTIMISE EFFICIENCY

When contacted, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) declined to comment on the reasons for halting the trial and whether it will resume.

In a statement issued to the media on Monday, a CAG spokesperson said the trial was meant to provide commuters with clearer taxi choices while optimising operational efficiency in despatching taxis.

“The trial involves the creation of a separate queue for premium taxis at the taxi queue area with a dedicated queue line for passengers who wish to take premium taxis,” she said, adding that this service would be offered daily from 3pm to 1.30am and would continue until Jan 7.

She added: “In addition, within the taxi holding area, regular taxis and premium taxis are segregated into two lanes to ensure efficient despatch of taxis.”

Prior to implementation, consultations were carried out with the National Taxi Association and various taxi operators, who expressed support for the trial, the spokesperson said.

She said the system had worked well when the trial commenced on Monday afternoon, especially during the evening peak period from 4pm to 6pm. “Passenger feedback was positive too, with commuters who were prepared to pay a higher metered fare for a premium taxi service lauding the clearer choices presented to them prior to joining the taxi queues.”

The spokesperson said there had been a significant surge in the supply of premium taxis at the airport late on Monday night, resulting in a longer waiting time for taxi drivers.

“We acknowledge the unhappiness expressed by some premium-taxi drivers,” she said, adding that CAG will monitor the situation, make adjustments and work with the relevant stakeholders.

-TODAY/xk

 

 

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The_Bear

The_Bear

Turbocharged

 

Frankly speaking I actually supported this idea.

Give ppl / tourists a choice to select between taking regular or premium...

if wanna pay more, just go to the premium row, and board one

 

Those premium taxis blasting their horns really show their hooligans behaviour...

By their "show", it will leave a bad impression on tourists coming to Singapore..

 

Anyway, there is proper channel to address their concerns, and this is definitely not the one.

 

I hope the relevant authorities will come in, and invite the instigators to lim-kopi !

The powers that be keep harping on proper channels. These days, the proper channels are difficult to get through, uncaring, high handed, ignorant, bureaucratic filled departments manned by rubber stamping robots. Like that how?

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Wt_know

Wt_know

Supersonic
(edited)

look at the premium taxi Q ... so miserable ... bo lang Q leh

the signboard premium taxi spell like ... who wants to pay more? [sly]

lai lai lai ... it looks like bentley but it's actually crysler

Edited by Wt_know
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Jman888

Jman888

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Good idea mah, last time no such signage, when come your turn and you see its a premium taxi everyone will avoid, the tourists blur blur go take then complain the taxi expensive.

 

Now with thus arrangements, you know what you are getting into, those dun mind to pay more actually enjoy shorter waiting time.

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Wt_know

Wt_know

Supersonic
(edited)

you are absolutely right

those (include frequent traveller) know about premium taxi will not bother to get on when their turn is up at the Q

hence, the premium taxi is actually hogging the taxi bay waiting for robert ... it's just more discreet to "bait" for robert .... lol

in this case, having a separate Q is better for willing robert to cut Q ( in a rush) and pay more if don't want to wait or those travel on company expenses

 

Good idea mah, last time no such signage, when come your turn and you see its a premium taxi everyone will avoid, the tourists blur blur go take then complain the taxi expensive.

Now with thus arrangements, you know what you are getting into, those dun mind to pay more actually enjoy shorter waiting time.

 

Edited by Wt_know
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1fast1

1fast1

Supersonic
(edited)

This is not a fully thought-out implementation, causing a bolehland like turnabout.

 

A simple tweak would have been for premium travellers to be able to *pre-book* the premium cabs when coming out of immigration (with a deposit paid upfront). The system can be coordinated so that that assigned cab pulls up waiting for that traveller as he heads out of Green/Red Channel. That way, they know there's a dedicated cab waiting for them right at the doorstep when they come out with their bags. Maybe people would be willing to pay extra for that level of convenience/service/pampering.

Edited by Turboflat4
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Fitvip

Fitvip

Supersonic
(edited)

I remember reading a report about a pax taking a 300C frm CA to jurong and he was charged more than $80/-. IMHO, it is good to have a separate Q so that passengers have a clear choice! Why KPKB?

 

NB: How is premium defined? Is Camry premium?

Edited by Fitvip
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