SINGAPORE: Singapore's biggest taxi operator ComfortDelGro has
announced that it will raise its fares, likely from 18
December.
Many in the industry see it as a move to help taxi drivers manage
rising overhead costs.
But most customers are not quite convinced. Even some taxi drivers
are not too pleased with the hike.
Industry players said ComfortDelGro's decision is not unexpected,
given rising prices and the recent increase in Goods and Services
Tax (GST).
In fact some taxi operators, like Premier, said that fares should
have been raised six months ago.
ComfortDelGro has remained tight-lipped on details, but many
believe that the flag-down rate will be raised by at least 30
cents.
ComfortDelGro said it "doesn't comment on price increases".
But comment on price increase is what many people want to do.
"I can accept it if they raise prices by 10 cents, but not beyond
that. I feel that as customers we are already paying a lot of fees,
like CBD and peak hour charges. It (taxi fare) is just too high,"
said a member of the public.
"I do sympathise but we customers also feel the brunt of
transportation prices going up; everything has gone up," said
another.
"I just feel there should be a longer time for the public to give
some sort of feedback. Two weeks and before Christmas, (when the
fare will rise), is really short. There's nothing much we can do
about it," said a third.
Others think that what they can do is to simply go for
alternatives, and that's the main concern of some taxi
drivers.
"The fare goes up, a lot of people don't take taxi.....No
passenger!"
said a cabby.
"Fuel prices are high now. If fares increase, it's enough to cover
our costs, but for the customer, it might be a little difficult,"
said another taxi driver.
For these taxi drivers, they would rather have lower rental fees to
help them manage rising overhead costs.
Smaller cab companies tell Channel NewsAsia that they are likely to
follow the new fare rates to be published by ComfortDelGro, the
market leader.
Bigger operators, like SMRT, say that they are still "looking into
the matter". - CNA/ir