That's plain stupid. We're in the 21st century with Singapore being a forerunner in the global modern economy (do read MARKET economy). If an individual cab driver is willing to earn less money for the sake of serving a passenger, why the f**k should it concern LTA? And what is this crap about "against company policy"?


While I do recognize the nooble reason behind keeping high prices to manipulate lower market utilization of cabs, and that in turn to save the environment, do keep in mind that you're doing it on the expense of public service quality!



First of all, the total number of cabs in Singapore is not exactly overwhelming. Go to Hong Kong, go to Taiwan, and you'll see a clear difference. And since the amount of taxi cars are already low, meaning you're not going to reduce it further, then what's the reason to keep the prices high? It's not like you save on emission when people aren't taking cab. The cab drivers are still driving around!



So let us look at the mess, what is the result of this?



- Reduced amount of customers for cab drivers.

- Cab drivers struggling financially.

- Cab drivers decides to earn less per ride, in order to get customers

- LTA and taxi company disapproves of this action.

- Cab drivers becomes increasingly frustrated.

- Empty cabs to circulate in front of taxi stands waiting for people to book.



And from customers POV:

- Irritation of continuously rising prices.

- Unable to get a taxi even at taxi stands, due to taxi drivers ignoring street hire while waiting for booking (to earn more).

- Increased irritation.



...so quite a bit of a mess. Let me rephrase my original question. What is your problem with people wanting to earn less to provide better service?



// Mr. K

I think they are limiting the drivers to use their creativitity. I mean what's wrong on giving discounts on the rides, anyway they still pay the rental fees. Maybe don't put discount ads so openly, try to give out name cards or create their own websites. Hey Simon, we can help the taxi drivers to do some websites,could it be an income to us ?

They're not going to be turned on... yet


If you've spotted gantries like these being contructed at Toa Payoh Lorong 6, Upper Boon Keng Road, Kallang Bahru, Geylang Bahru Road, or Upper Hume Avenue, fear not.



The Land Transport Authority has confirmed that although these are indeed ERP gantries being set up, they won't be turned on just yet.



These 'unactivated' gantries will possibly only start charging motorists when traffic conditions deteriorate beyond "optimum speed ranges", which is set between 45kmh and 65kmh for expressways, and between 20kmh and 30kmh for roads.



If vehicular speeds fall below 45kmh on expressways and below 20kmh on roads, traffic congestion is deemed to have occurred.



And should that happen on a regular basis, motorists will be well-advised to have their cashcards topped up!





http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20080108-44142.html