DAY 173 OTR THURSDAY
With the new Fare Structure, Day Shift Drivers with
conventional Change Shift Hours have seen a decreased in their
collection of between 20% to 50%.
Khoon tried out a new strategy over the past few days
which seems to work, but will need to fine tune and test out over
the weekend to see the overall results.
There are a few more strategies to experiment with over
the next few weeks before concluding which is the best approach;
and would probably need to draw up a few templates that is
interchangeable for reaction to different situations.
It is not overboard to say that the New Fare Structure is
largely centred around CDG's Call System, especially for the
non-peak hours. Khoon did a trial by behaving like a CDG
Driver one day and tru observing the strategies of a very smart CDG
Driver.
TransCab, the second largest taxi fleet, but with a half
past six Call Centre which doesn't even seems to match to that
of SMRT's, went ahead to follow the de-facto big brothers whim for
fare change. Unless TransCab can pull up its act to increase our
call volume, we will see the continued trend of more Red Drivers
throwing key to join the Blues.
If the in-coming new SMRT chief sees the potential
of her taxi business and revamp its operations, they will
regain their second position in the industry in no time, given
their financial muscles and GIC connections.
In reaction to the New Fare Structure, we are seeing
partnerships break up to each go OMO, Day Hirer asking Nite Relief
to share a higher percentage of the rental, Day Hirer driving
extended hours to have a bite of the evening peak with the Nite
Relief driving shorter hours for lesser rental.
Another trend we are seeing is more partners going
for unconventional change shift hours like 12-12.
It will be tough for for Day Shift Drivers with
Conventional Hours to see Collection similar to that of before the
Fare Adjustment, given the 10% reduction during the crunch morning
peak and slower meter jump.
Change is The Only Constant.
To Survive Change, Either Go with The Flow or Do The
Unconventional.
Either Ways We Embrace Change.
But Khoon would prefer taking The Middle Path
of 不变应万变 to see
where the path will lead to.
(Maybe it will lead right to under the Coconut Tree? Or to
Tuas South Ave 14? Or to Defu Fish Market to throw key? Ha
Ha)
i cant say much since i have not started driving yet. But from
what i have observed before and after the fare adjustment, as i
travel by taxi to the same location on almost every monday morning
peak from hougang to toa payoh, i do see a drop in the fare amount
that i am paying ranging from 50cents to $1.
but i guess most consumers on the street wont study
to such details, as the only factors that keep them away is
paying more.
