Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Taxi Fare Hikes Getting on my Nerves

First the basic fare rose by 10 cents several weeks ago. Well, that’s a miniscule increase and didn’t appear to be much of an issue. However, in the newspapers today, the drastic hike in taxi fares got my blood boiling.

Not only will the basic fare increase by another 30 cents, both surcharges and meter fare will be raised as well. In the latest overhaul, every 385m covered will incur 20 cents compared to the previous 440m which bore the same price. And after the first 10km covered, an additional 20 cents will be charged for every 330m traveled. The only consolation is the auto booking fee, which dropped by a mere 50 cents from an initial $4.

Well, it doesn’t cause much of a difference, does it? A 12.5% decrease against a 10 – 49% increase still results in an overall percentage increase. And that 10% increase doesn't have anything to do with auto booking fees.

Petrol prices rise, drivers feel the pinch and passengers burn large holes in their pockets. Perhaps this vicious economic cycle works that way but ultimately, the users bear it all. I really wonder how the fare increments will help the cabbies when drastic percentage increases shun off potential passengers. Let’s not take into account those who urgently or desperately need a cab.

When ComfortDelGro initiated its overhaul, did it take into consideration the physically disabled and the elderly? Or even the lower income group in Singapore? How many can afford to take such a mode of transport when the government time and again encouraged citizens to take public transportations? With its objective in reducing the number of cars on the road by jacking up the ERP to a frightening $5 during the peak hours along PIE, doesn’t the action of Singapore’s largest taxi provider contradict the intentions of the government?

It was mentioned that this decision came after suggestions from the public. But I suppose it will cause a public outcry instead. Not every Singaporean is rich enough to afford a cab when it is so expensive. So where does this head to? In the end, I don’t see how cabbies can earn or perhaps even make losses for no one is willing to hail a cab now.

Even though I come from a moderately well-to-do family, I personally feel that the overhaul is ridiculous. Slight changes could be made but not such drastic ones. Singaporeans are adverse to changes especially when their money is of concern. Right now, i rather opt for less comfort than to add on to the burden in my bank account.

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