SINGAPORE: Taxi drivers are having tough times as a result of the
economic downturn. And the impending cut in public transport fares has
some of them even more worried.
One taxi driver said: "(We are) definitely affected, because
everyone will take bus and train, which are cheaper, taxis (are) so
expensive."
A second said: "If the buses cut their fares and the other agencies cut their fares, we also want our fares to be cut."
MPs like Lim Biow Chuan and Cynthia Phua have said with people less
willing to hop into a cab now, fares should follow the market.
Ong Kian Min, the vice-chairman of the Government Parliamentary
Committee for Transport, said taxi driver associations need to work as
a group to engage their companies.
In Singapore, the taxi industry is deregulated and fares are set by taxi companies.
President of CityCab Operators' Association, Robin Ng, said: "If
there are any fare cuts, that will be a direct hit on our drivers'
income. We understand that our company is working with corporate
clients to give away taxi vouchers. This is another way to help our
drivers to increase demand."
President of Premier Taxi Operators' Association, Foo Chi Yong,
said: "We are appealing to the companies not to increase the supply of
taxis anymore. So if the company continues to increase the supply of
taxis, it will definitely affect the drivers."
But for taxi drivers, the competition may well get more intense, as
the number of taxi licences issued has been on the rise. It has
increased 43 per cent over a four-month period from last September.
Industry insiders say, historically, more people tend to turn
towards taxi driving when the economic situation worsens. But during
such times, demand for cabs may not be strong.
Latest figures from the Land Transport Authority showed that while
numbers have been creeping up slowly since the economic downturn, the
average daily taxi ridership fell 5.4 per cent last December from the
previous year.
A member of the public said: "For consumers, we have a wider option, so let's say in case of emergency, I will take a taxi."
TransCab said it is reviewing the situation and is in discussions with the union.
Prime Taxis, which has about 500 cabs on the road, said it will look at how the big companies are reacting.
Comfort DelGro, the largest player with more than 15,000 cabs, said
the company never comments on fares until it has an announcement to
make.
- CNA/yt
President of CityCab Operators' Association, Robin Ng, said: "If there are any fare cuts, that will be a direct hit on our drivers' income. We understand that our company is working with corporate clients to give away taxi vouchers. This is another way to help our drivers to increase demand."
CityCab talk cock la !!!!!!!
Voucher for fuck ? Street hire is the main concern , not corporate business .
" President of Premier Taxi Operators' Association, Foo Chi Yong, said: "We are appealing to the companies not to increase the supply of taxis anymore. So if the company continues to increase the supply of taxis, it will definitely affect the drivers. "
This President useless ..... it's not the amount of taxis on the road that is killing the market , it's the peak hour surcharge and the $3 city area surcharge . Walan eh , i think this sort of President eventually will lose his post .
TransCab said it is reviewing the situation and is in discussions with the union
This TransCab spoke more senses .... speak with their Union , gets feedback , and reduce the peak hour surcharge .
Let me tell u this , one company reduce peak hour surcharge , i don't believe Comfortdelgro don't follow .
Prime Taxis, which has about 500 cabs on the road, said it will look at how the big companies are reacting.
Prime another gundu .....
How can they wait for a MRT and Bus company to reduce taxi fare ?
Don't he know SMRT and ComfortDelgro are putting buses / MRT as priorities and protecting their buses and MRT revenue ???
Sorry to Mr Seng Han Tong ......
Cos he's just like any other Union chief , who show more support to the LTA rather the cabbies .
I think if he's a vocal fella who are more popular to cabbies who speak for the cabbies , fire issue will never occurs .
Again , if he sided with the cabby , he wouldn't be there later on .
That's Singapore .