I just had an experience of being overcharged $0.20 by a Comfort taxi driver. In fact, only one other friend, out of the 4 of us, noticed that we were being over-charged. It is very simple. The taxi driver stopped at our destinated place, but waited around 2 seconds for the meter to jump by $0.20*, before pressing the meter, and convienently announced the fare as the one with the $0.20 increased.
* The $0.20 jump is for waiting time, which should not be incurred, as we had already reached our destination.
Basic Fare
| New | |
| Flag Down | $2.80 for 1st km |
| 1km to 10km | $0.20 for every 385m or less |
| Above 10km | $0.20 for every 330m or less |
| Waiting time | $0.20 for every 45sec or less |
^ After reading the comments from Winnilicious, I will like to clearly state that my post does not include any identification of the above mentioned taxi driver.
^^ As for SHC751E from the comments of SL, it was written by SL, a reader, whom I have no idea who SL is, nor any idea on why he/she wants to include a number that seems like a vehicle number. The most likely reason is that he/she is a taxi driver of that taxi number, as he/she stated “Our self-respect is worth much more than that 20 CENTS”.
Times are really bad for cabbies.
This is something new. I shall keep an eye on the meter the next time I take a cab.
This method is underhand!
This is daylight robbery!
Come on – how tight are you all? Do you want him to press the buttton as soon as he starts? Should he have his finger on the button for last 20 yards of journey? Not safe.
[...] Posted by The Singapore Daily on 9 January 2008 ERPains, Trains & Automobiles – Looking through the eyes of: Puh-lease, Pt. 2 – Alice in Wonderland: Taxi driver resorting to cheating $0.20 out of customers [...]
Hmm…if you have to squabble over S$0.20, I suggest you not take a cab…
If you said it is a principle thing, fine but waste time and effort over S$0.20…
Please give me a break. Our self-respect is worth much more than that 20 CENTS. If you feel cheated, you can always refuse to pay that 20 CENTS, simple as that. But please don’t add salt. Thank you.
SHC751E
Sometimes, we need to look at the bigger picture. Now, I guess that people tend to look at every other minor actions of the taxi drivers with greater details, after the taxi fare hike.
@DK: Times are bad for cabbies. And there is at least one black sheep in the community.
@motd: It is underhand, as this driver had his eyes on the meter, and waited till the meter jumps, before pressing the meter to stop.
@decypher: It is a $0.20 daylight robbery.
@paul: The main thing is not about having his fingers on the button. But being a case of delibrate waiting for the meter to jump, and announcing the fare as the newly jumped fare. There is something wrong with his principle.
@xtrocious: It is more of principle thing. If the person is willing to bend his principle on small things, when will he starts to bend his principle on bigger things. Knowing well that he can gets away with cheating $0.20 with most, the question is, will he be adding unknown surcharge in future to tourists?
@SL: I really hope that everyone feels that their self-repect is worth more than 20 cents. If not, the society as a whole is really crumpling. There is a saying of “to nip in the bud”.
@twentycents: Other than looking at big picture. The principle, self-respect, … aspect is overlook nowadays, as the focus is either on results (the famous translated quote of don’t care if black cat or white cat, can catch mouse one is good cat) or money.
Pathetic.
…………………………………….
A principle thing? Afraid of taxi drivers bend his principle on bigger things? Are you going to start become taxi drivers’ moral police?
Seriously dude you can just refuse to pay the extra 20cents. Most taxi drivers won’t give a damn to bicker with you over 20 cents. Some taxis I have taken forget to switch on the metre after going for 10 seconds (I actually had to remind the driver). Sometimes taxi drivers give us extra change, sometimes I tell them to keep the change.
@no one: Principles, or lack of principles in general, are part of a social issue that is linked with moral issues and gracious society. A single lone voice is useless, unless the society (at least a majority) believes that there should be principles, moral and graciousness. Examples that turn up debate are plentiful, and each comments shows a glimpse of how the society is. At least there are many who bothers to be engaged, even if there may not be an agreement.
If you think it’s a 20 cents daylight robbery, then you should not have paid the taxi driver that extra 20 cents (if you did).
I am not against you whining in your blog. But by showing his vehicle number, do you want him to lose his rice bowl just because of that 20 cents of yours?
Yes, it may be more than a matter of principles.
But again, it’s just a 20 cents. Get over and done with you.
If that 20 cents meant a lot to you, I transfer you $2 via internet banking as compensation. =)
FYI, after the taxi fare hike, I met lots of taxi drivers who gave me extra change, say 60 cents to 80 cents. & of cos, I do also ask them to keep the change. After all, it’s give and take.
get over it. We are not living in a perfect world.
give and take. u’ll be happier!
@Winnilicious: You must be mistaken about the vehicle number. I did not mentioned the driver’s vehicle number, nor anything that can identify him.
As for SHC751E from the comments of SL, it was written by SL, a reader, whom I have no idea who SL is, nor any idea on why he/she wants to include a number that seems like a vehicle number, as his/her footer to his/her comments.The most likely reason is that he/she is a taxi driver of that taxi number, as he/she stated “Our self-respect is worth much more than that 20 CENTS”.
My taxi number is SHC751E. I just want to stand up and speak up for my taxi driver brothers. I strongly believe that they are not that low to cheat their customers of 20 cents. When we pull over along the road side, we have to look out for traffic behind, slow down before coming to a complete halt, and that moment of delay may seem like a deliberate act of “cheating.”
Most of the time, I would rather round down to the nearest dollar if it was 30 cents or less.
@SL: It really makes our day great to meet good taxi driver like you.
Fake all taxi drivers are like you.
I take cab to work every morning and I like to share my experience. Taxi drivers we have in Singapore are quite frenly. Many a times, taxi drivers have rounded down 10 cents 20 cents for me. I must also admit there are those who will round up the 5 cents.
So it is give and take.
I’ve come across worser ways that taxi drivers over-charge. For one, they do not first admit they do not know where a street or road is. Then they drive around longer cos they are lost. Worse of all, they say they’ll just deduct $2 off the total charge!
If you feel it is an overcharge, don’t pay that extra 20 cents. Cab-drivers are less likely to fight with you over 20 cents anyway.
BTW, I like your blog – very brutal honesty! You have my respect!