Mixed reaction to Fare increase!

[RadX]

Seems like even taking taxis now got choosiness......and those who can pay, will...leading to again, Elitism

 

 

SINGAPORE: Taxi drivers and passengers say they are in a difficult spot because of uncertainty caused by staggered announcements on taxi fare revisions.

 

This comes after SMRT Taxis said on Monday it was following competitor ComfortDelGro's revised rates.

 

ComfortDelGro's rates took effect on Monday, while rates for SMRT Taxis will start on December 20.

 

Other taxi operators say they are reviewing the situation.

 

When it comes to taxi fare hikes, it's clearly not a case of one-for-all, and all-for-one.

 

Different charges by taxi companies mean some customers are cherry-picking their rides.

 

Rajamanickam, Driver of SMRT Taxis, said: "I was queuing up one early morning around 6.15. There were two taxis in front which raised the price yesterday and my taxi was the third one. The passengers refused to take the first taxi. They come to my taxi and I told them, "Can you please take the front one, because I cannot cut the queue?" They said, "I'll wait for you!" They waited for me (in the queue) and ... took my taxi. What does that show? They are against the price increase."

 

That may be true for some, but not for all.

 

One lady passenger said: "Sometimes when people is in a rush right, then they got no choice but they got to pay the additional (fare). Considering now like the economy is not doing so well, so I think it's quite unnecessary."

 

Another lady passenger said: "If we really need a taxi, we don't mind about the fare."

 

One grouse raised was how the fare revisions have been announced.

 

Rajamanickam added that it would be better if all taxi companies announce the fare revision together. Then it would be fair for all, including the passengers.

 

Taxi drivers said it is still early to say what impact the changes will have on their earnings.

 

- CNA/de

[Wyvern]

I guess this is just the transistion period. Eventually, the people will still get used to the fare hike.

[Sdf5725]

as usual, ppl will slowly accept the fare hike. they will still take taxi from whatever $$ they have in their pocket. never think about saving.

[Francis247]

Taxi is a form of public transport.

Imagine those old uncles and aunts who can hardly walk and need to go for medical care or appointment.

They will have to walk to the nearest bus stop, board the bus and so on.

I know that buses are now equipped with ramps for wheelchair and cater for the elders but it is still not convenient for them...

[RadX]

I spoke to a few cabbies and the min reason for fare increase is they intend to increase the rental....watch for it

[Friendstar]

Can I ask. What is happening to the ministerial salary review? Forgotten?

[RadX]

Can I ask. What is happening to the ministerial salary review? Forgotten?

 

er...this sets stage...since cabbies earn more, they shd earn more..

[Sdf5725]

Can I ask. What is happening to the ministerial salary review? Forgotten?

 

i thought the review will be to go up? cause they already send out message that singapore is not corruption free enough.

[13177]

I guess this is just the transistion period. Eventually, the people will still get used to the fare hike.

Correct, this is just the transistion period, when all the taxi companies eventually raise their price, people would have not choice but to accept. There is nothing that commuters can do, no matter how much is the taxi fare, when people need to take taxi, they will still take la.

[Pltang]

i thought the review will be to go up? cause they already send out message that singapore is not corruption free enough.

 

yeah.. so to counter it, need to pay more

 

back to topic....

 

i usually skip the taxi if i dun wan to take if in q... i avoid all trans cab...

[Wyvern]

I spoke to a few cabbies and the min reason for fare increase is they intend to increase the rental....watch for it

 

Oh, so the increase in fares is to cope with the intended increase in cab rental. If the crude oil prices increase, then its another fares increase..? So twice fares review in a year..?

 

Wah, this is way faster than the increase in inflation..

[Kongbapao]

I spoke to a few cabbies and the min reason for fare increase is they intend to increase the rental....watch for it

 

When they first announced the hike the reason they gave was to increase cabbies' take home pay. I was thinking why can't they reduce the rental.

 

An old toyota crown is abt $80-$90/day i think. But I don't know is it shared by 2 shifts drivers ($40-$50 each) or per driver. Either way I think taxi companies are bloodsuckers, sucking on cabbies and the public.

[Raymondism]

how come my pay never go up?

 

but i think its time to increase fares.........

Edited December 14, 2011 by Raymondism

[Sdf5725]

When they first announced the hike the reason they gave was to increase cabbies' take home pay. I was thinking why can't they reduce the rental.

 

this is just an excuse. only kids will believe them.

economy is going to get worse, they have to quickly lock the fare hike before the effect of economy kick in.

i read from some where that they report the taxi can earn as much as 3500 bucks per month if they know how to work and work hard. i believe 3.5K nowadays is considered "low" as compared to the inflation "created" from the past few years.

[13177]

this is just an excuse. only kids will believe them.

economy is going to get worse, they have to quickly lock the fare hike before the effect of economy kick in.

i read from some where that they report the taxi can earn as much as 3500 bucks per month if they know how to work and work hard. i believe 3.5K nowadays is considered "low" as compared to the inflation "created" from the past few years.

Taxi driver can earn 3.5K per month? Based on how long they drive the taxi on the road?! Consider not bad liao, got 3.5K per month.

[Kongbapao]

this is just an excuse. only kids will believe them.

 

Then they will make the disgruntled cabbies even more dulan.

[Jman888]

the tv interview some ang moh during morning period, most said they never notice.... since when they ever notice if all they do is take the receipt and pass to the admin or secretary to claim [rolleyes]

[Vega]

Taxi driver can earn 3.5K per month? Based on how long they drive the taxi on the road?! Consider not bad liao, got 3.5K per month.

 

Dont think this is possible. If you take $3500/7 days is $500 per day. Divide that by 12 hr a day shift, its about $41 per hr. And this assume that you have customers in your cab every hr and i have not include rest and meal time thru out the shift, and not forgetting rental and petrol cost.

 

Cabby is one of a non scaleable business to be in.