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I REFER to Mr Raymund Koh's letter last Monday, 'Tax reliefs? But cabbies still choosy'. As much as I sympathise with his plight, I do not believe the cabbies were intentionally avoiding him simply to earn the additional $4 surcharge on trips originating in the CBD (Central Business District).
As the son of a retired taxi driver, I have experienced first hand - from within the cab - the difficulties of picking up passengers. These include, but are not limited to:
- Spotting passengers due to their dark clothing, or standing away from street lights;
- Determining who is waiting for a taxi and who is just about to cross the road; and
- Stopping, due to traffic conditions.
I had the impression from Mr Koh's letter that many taxis passed him by day. If there were many taxis, what would be the likelihood of all of them passing confirmed passengers for potential ones, simply for the additional $4?
I find it hard to believe as the cost of fuel (and time) driving and waiting for passengers could well negate between 10 and 50 per cent or more of the surcharge. I would find it easier to stop for a confirmed passenger than continue driving in the hope of finding one who might give me an additional $4.
It is perhaps only in such desperate times that these taxi drivers take such desperate measures. If taxi drivers have to resort to literally going the extra mile to earn such a slight increase in income, might it not be more prudent for the Government to increase tax reliefs and rebates for drivers - in order to make them less picky about passengers?
And save the money on plainclothes officers. Use that money to subsidise taxi-related expenditure to make taxi driving a more attractive career. Maybe then will there be more taxi drivers to increase the odds of being picked up between 8pm and 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Donn Lee
Read also:
» Why not just remove ERP for taxis?
» Tax reliefs? But cabbies still choosy
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
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