I simply do not understand how should the recent adjustment going to help solve issues we already have. I mean, on rainy days, on busy districts, at taxi stands, we are still facing the same issue. NO CABS ARE AVAILABLE.
The fee hike does not seems to help tackle on the problem we have. If I am a cab driver, with the fee hike, I will be very glad. I mean, it's never enough. I will still wait for ppl to on-call me. I will merry go round circles again and act as if I can’t see passengers. I will hide at a corner in CBD and wait for the message to come and with my fast finger, I will click and zoom right to my customer in split secs (becos actually, I am just nearby, camouflaging). I will tell my customers "It’s my first time on the road, I am not familiar with the destination you are going" then take a longer route. Or I will say "Cannot take the expressway! Got pee nut butter JAM ah! We take the smaller routes (which is full of traffic lights)" in order to stall some time.
If you ever want to murder someone, I suggest you invite him or her to take a cab ride. And I foresee the toll rate of ppl dying in cab will be higher in time to come. Cos seeing the meter jump, it will send the older folks to their death bed much faster, their weak hearts will not be able to take it. Then those cabs will be haunted, cabbies will die in car crash cos of the vengeance spirits...then rumors spread...then lesser ppl wanna be a cabby, then we passengers will have to queue even longer at the taxi stands, then fee will hike again cos that’s the only way they can think of to solve problems. So what these problem solvers could do is only by using one solution to solve all troubles?! Rising the cab fare is not going to help meeting the demands and especially so during the peak hours. The main objective of creating taxis is to meet the demands of commuters who want to save on time traveling and for convenience sake. And how do we keep up with the demands during the peak hours and to encourage cab drivers to drive thru hot spots (where there are many passengers during the peak hours, waiting at ERPs boundaries) while discouraging them to hide at places nearby waiting for on calls?
Suggestion 1:
On call charges during peak hours should be decrease. So that cab drivers will be more eager to pick up passengers on the road during peak hours.
We can add extra charges during off peak hours instead (thus helping to make up for the “losses” make by cutting down the charges during the peak hours). Though during the off peak hours, lesser ppl will need to call for cab, but the passengers at inconvenient locations will still have to call for one.
Suggestion 2:
Start up charges should be rated according to the locations. The more secluded the location is, the more expensive is the start up charge. E.g. at general pick up locations along the main roads should be a flat charge of $2. Pick up at inner blocks or buildings or industrial areas can be a $2.50. Hotel pick up can be charged at $2.80. (Just an example)
Suggestion 3:
Stop over points. For passengers who wanted to pick up other passengers along the different locations, there can be a charge to each stop over. Probably an extra 30 or 50 cents per stop to pick up or drop off a passenger.
Suggestion 4:
There should be an extra service provided by cab drivers. That is to help carry luggages or heavy groceries (or assisting handicapped from the cab and wheel them back home) for passengers their door steps by charging a significant extra fee. And cab drivers should be equipped with umbrellas so as to provide the extra mile during the rainy days. We will be very thankful.
Suggestion 5:
Taxi companies should hire drivers as employees instead of renting cabs. All fuel cost should be bear by companies, drivers who drive into ERP gantry areas to pick up a passenger, the passenger will have bear all ERP charges (So as to encourage drivers to come into these areas). Total earnings for the day should be accounted by the company.
Drivers should receive a fix wages every mth so as to ease the worry of the uncertain earnings for the day and with a fix earnings, thus it will be more encouraging for ppl to join.
Drivers who receive a certain targeted no. of compliments for the mth, they should be given as extra “performance bonus say about 50 bucks” to motivate drivers to provide better service. And how do we encourage passengers from complimenting (instead of writing in only for complain cases)? We can do so by provided a free ride or certain amount of rebate if the complimented driver is rewarded “performance bonus”
There should be three working shifts, say morning, afternoon and night shift. All drivers are supposed to clock certain amt working hrs for each shift. Older drivers can be excuse from night shift (optional).
Suggestion 6:
Sign a collaboration with the fuel company so as to provide lower rate fuels and encouraging more business to the fuel company. (Win Win situation siah...)
I have many many more suggestions but lazy to put them down further in words. Thats all I have for today. Till the next time I grumble about cab fares again.... hehehe
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