Passenger numbers for taxis drop but rise for MRT trains
SINGAPORE: People in Singapore seem to be choosing cheaper ways
to travel in these tough economic times. Latest figures from the Land
Transport Authority showed that taxis are picking up fewer passengers
while MRT trains are carrying more.
Passenger numbers for taxis started falling from September when
news of a recession first broke. October saw the biggest fall by over
50,000 passengers.
December figures are not available yet, but November statistics
showed that business picked up slightly with 898,975 passengers. But
the number pales in comparison to that of 2007, when taxi ridership hit
941,709.
Still, SMRT Taxis said the increase could be due to the school holidays and the festive period.
Drivers said that overall, business took a turn for the worse by about 20 per cent in the last four months.
Said one cabbie: "in one day, I could earn S$80 to S$90 dollars.
Sometimes, I could even earn S$110. But now I can only earn about S$50
to S$60 dollars."
Most cabbies Channel NewsAsia spoke to are not very positive about
business even during the upcoming Lunar New Year season when many
families are expected to be out and about.
Drivers said they hope companies can consider lowering taxi rentals and
bring down operation costs to help them tide over the difficult period.
Both ComfortDelGro and SMRT Taxis said drivers' income have not dipped for September and October 2008.
SMRT Taxis said records from previous years showed that taxi ridership generally increase in the December and January periods.
While taxis may find the road ahead challenging, MRT train rides
got more crowded since September with passenger numbers surging by
about 10 per cent this year compared to last year. - CNA/vm
MRT rides cheaper than taxi rides....that's why.
yay!!!!!
Said one cabbie: "in one day, I could earn S$80 to S$90 dollars. Sometimes, I could even earn S$110. But now I can only earn about S$50 to S$60 dollars."
Max.... as a newbie...as per today you should be happy with what you are getting. even those old birds are telling the same amount they are getting according to the above on report. So...you are still better among those..haha .
the taxi story will be worse…
if festive Dec/Jan is like that, after cny how? after circle line how? when more retrenched become cabbies how? please quit… so i got less competitors… haha
Hallo...Guru ALN. nothing to worry about? this will never effect you,...Lah. no matter what, you still at the top. What..... experience count..mah what competitors.
Means more empty cab for us.
Originally posted by Pin Head:Means more empty cab for us.
So...should be easy to flag one hor?
The business on Chirstmas eve was very disappointing compared to 2007 and even New Year eve business wasn't as good as previous year too.
It would be better if I don't have to look for taxi stands all the time in the CBD just to take a cab.
or bi~!
Originally posted by ALN:actually, it will affect new cabbies the least… why? cos when experienced drivers see income drop sure beh tahan…
whereas for new cabby, every trip done is one fare more collected…
income up or down, still must learn to drive happily… that’s the way for long term…. haha
but the old bird always said that new cabbies got more luck to pick up pax, blind chicken got the worm. hahaaa.......... anyone agree ??????????
of cos lah it's so fucking ex.. how to take?? especially their stupid peak hr surcharge... so stupid..... of cos it's not the driver's fault lah... it's those blood sucking company's fault lah.. knn... just lower the rental and charge lower lah.. then driver can earn already.. knn..
Good...force taxi companies to lower fares
Costs of living. Expensive taxi fares have not make me rich. I'm still classified under low income group.
Originally posted by ALN:hard for taxi companies to lower fares loh… cos in recessions, more retrenched will sign up as cabbies… in fact taxi companies huat during recession… unless the number of cabbies who quit is more than new cabbies… dun know?
but i just like to hear taxi companies go bust… then more fun… haha
if any go bust, most likely ones are the green, the orange, then the red one…
So that leaves with the blue and yellow...
I think we can also survive without the silver hor....
Originally posted by ALN:hard for taxi companies to lower fares loh… cos in recessions, more retrenched will sign up as cabbies… in fact taxi companies huat during recession… unless the number of cabbies who quit is more than new cabbies… dun know?
but i just like to hear taxi companies go bust… then more fun… haha
if any go bust, most likely ones are the green, the orange, then the red one…
orange? :S
Originally posted by jayh272416:orange? :S
There's one not very maroon, not vey pink, not very red... haha...
Is it the one with Toyota Wish and Honda Airwave?
Got it....
Good then i hope to see only blue and silver survived.And pls revived back the black private one!Its getting lesser and lesser nowadays.I love to take the black one,Drivers more patient and safety.Red one is the most menace,Driving like their ancestors won the roads,Loves to pick on new drivers and small cars
business would probably be better if they take out the stupid peak hour surcharge....
Originally posted by carbikebus:Good then i hope to see only blue and silver survived.And pls revived back the black private one!Its getting lesser and lesser nowadays.I love to take the black one,Drivers more patient and safety.Red one is the most menace,Driving like their ancestors won the roads,Loves to pick on new drivers and small cars
Me show no discrimination among the taxi races.... it all depends on the driver... not the colour.