Gintai: New life as a taxi driver

[Neutralsg]

Regardless how powderful one's England's is, it cannot compare against the advantage of one's age. The world has changed so much that being older, wiser and more experience seems to count for not much in this day and age :(

It's virtually a hobson's choice for many who past their 50s let alone the 60s and above regardless the wealth of contribution these elderlies are willing to part in exchange for a decent job and remuneration,

I was a cab driver for a few months. with England so power. All I can say is this guy can and should do something better. Leave the taxi profession to those that are really down on their luck. Or as a last option.

 

Edited October 2, 2014 by Neutralsg

[Neutralsg]

There is much truth in your comment.

a) If one is desperate enough, driving a cab is an option where $$$ matters (provided one has what it takes)

b) TD runs the highest risk of collecting demerit points from TP as well as LTA if one has no discipline while driving a cab

c) A friend once told me that he will NEVER drive a cab because he finds it unacceptable to take instructions from any Tom, Dick or Harry who may well be much younger.

Therefore, taxi drivers in Singapore is not necessarily a bunch of uneducated or lowly educated motorists but could be people of higher calibres than even some of those fortunate white collars who earn good $$$ just by virtue of their age (every other qualities being equal).

No guarantee that some of us here won't end up driving a cab.

But able to drive car also no guarantee one can make it as a TD.

Pride is normally the obstacle n having hang around MCF for sometime, I felt its' strong presence here.

 

[Neutralsg]

Before you can attend the class, your nick says it all bro, unless it's a smokescreen

I dun mind drive taxi.. but the time taken to attend the lessons only when no job then got time. and must sit for test too.. not like last time old dialect names of places used to identify destination one...

 

[Dafansu]

Taxi driver with a heart. He used to be a police officer, earning a decent salary, but choose to drive a taxi instead.

http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/case-you-missed-it/story/cabby-donates-liver-stranger-20130814

[Neutralsg]

You sure bro? shortage of TD? The figures of valid licensee has dropped though. Probably, some has been terminated, suspended for non payment of CPF contribution etc..

Anyway, attach stats from LTA for those interested to know.

mind u, there are no shortage of taxis right now...but shortage of drivers.

 

taxi_info_2014.pdf

[Neutralsg]

Tell that to one who has no sense of directions Even with your GPS, you may have to explain to a fastidious pax who may not agree with your choice of route.

What insights? Driving a cab is not that hard. Just have to get over your initial fear of picking up passengers.

And most importantly don't forget the bloody meter!

 

[Neutralsg]

It's true that many gave up getting a licence after many unsuccessful attempts. I think it may be worse now with more new roads and buildings and ever changing high way code etc..

 

Think he has given up... Now driving school bus instead as a retirement job.

 

[Kb27]

Taxi drivers are essentially providing service to the public.

 

One redeeming quality is to be a good salesman.

 

The last thing passengers want to see is a grumpy and sullen driver or worse, a F1 driver.

Edited October 2, 2014 by Kb27

[Neutralsg]

The clear advantage between a taxi driver and a bus driver is the income possibilities,

Ai yah taxi more fun mah... Can talk cock with passenger. Sch bus gotta deal with noisy kids!!!

 

[RadX]

You sure bro? shortage of TD? The figures of valid licensee has dropped though. Probably, some has been terminated, suspended for non payment of CPF contribution etc..

Anyway, attach stats from LTA for those interested to know.

 

A demand issue

 

Lots of empty cabs not out on road but still waiting in holding.

[Neutralsg]

That seems news to me because a friend who is a hirer with Comfort told me that new hirers need to wait as long as 3 months before they can get a cab. Perhaps, other companies?

For those who has a cab license, it seems driving a cab is a fairly better option than many other very low remunerated jobs with long hours too.

A demand issue

Lots of empty cabs not out on road but still waiting in holding.

 

[Nzy]

That seems news to me because a friend who is a hirer with Comfort told me that new hirers need to wait as long as 3 months before they can get a cab. Perhaps, other companies?

For those who has a cab license, it seems driving a cab is a fairly better option than many other very low remunerated jobs with long hours too.

 

 

I think 3 months is like the maximum. Depends on what car the hirer wants also. If they accept any taxi available, the waiting time shorter. But some want new cab or don't want new cab then got to wait longer.

[Sucker]

TD is not an easy job...

 

I procastinate to get TDVL for a past few years. Recent salary increment triggered me to get a TDVL. For the past few years, my increment is below the inflation rate but this year incement is the same as the inflation rate. To compensate for the gap between inflation and increment, I decided to drive Taxi.

 

I drive Taxi leisurely. I used to dislike TD because they stop and disrupt the traffic flow. Now, I wear their shoe and understand them well. Most of the times, they are the victim of circumstances.

 

During the TDVL course, most of my coursemate are hungry and they are determined to pass the course and drive the taxi. I came across a delivery man and he passed the course. Since he has full time job, I told him to try as a relief driver instead of becoming a hirer. He said he has to drive 530am to 6pm (somethine like that) with about (or less) $2000 monthly salary and he is better off to drive a taxi as the earning is better.

 

After the exam, I met a person whom he had failed his first time TDVL exam. I could sense his sadness with his watery eyes, his mellow voice and his clearing throat and he lameted he did not study hard enough but he is sure that he is going to pass in the next exam. I hope all the best in the next exam.

 

It is seems like most of them taking the TDVL have make plan for themselves. Some of them is for standby. Some of them is to drive full time and some of them is for their 2nd income. I belong to the 2nd income.

[Car_byte]

sharing this article by local blogger Gintai

 

find it very refreshing and inspiring

 

it's so true that when a door closes on you in life, another door opens

 

life is difficult, but don't give up

 

 

 

 

Gintai really live up to the saying " ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE" ;-)

Very encouraging..

[Ake109]

Interesting article. I am single and working as 'PMET' with reasonable pay now but there are many times I get so sick of the Corporate bullcrap and also know that if I get booted out of my seat due to globalisation or any other 101 reason, taxi driving is always there (in fact, this seems to be the unspoken govt policy. Reserve the vocational licence as some sort of social security net for citizens).