Changes to
cab fares are around the corner, with industry players expecting
higher flagdown rates, bigger interval jumps but pared down
surcharges.
According
to a Zello-based taxi-driver chat group, Cabbie Korner, most cabs
will have a standardised flagdown fare of $3.80, instead of rates
ranging from $3.20 to $5 today.
Distance-
and time-based interval jumps will be a uniform 30 cents, instead
of the 22, 30 and 33 cents in place today.
Peak-hour
surcharges will be dropped, but the midnight surcharge will remain,
and location surcharges standardised.
The group
also expects a flat monthly Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) levy of
$150, regardless of the number of times a cabby crosses an ERP
gantry.
At last
count, there are close to 10 different flagdown fares, three
different metered fare structures, and more than 10 different types
of surcharges.
This
prompted Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo to
declare 12 months ago that the Government would look into
simplifying the taxi fare structure.
The Straits
Times understands the process has been slow because taxi fares have
been deregulated since 1998.
This meant
there was no central body coordinating changes and that the taxi
companies were free to change fare structures.
Also,
changes are likely to make certain groups of cabbies and commuters
unhappy.
The Land
Transport Authority (LTA) said nothing is on the table yet. "We are
still studying and discussing with stakeholders the harmonisation
of the taxi fare structure," an LTA spokesman said.
"The issue
is complicated as the fare structure fundamentally reflects the
different rental costs of different taxis. Different stakeholders,
ranging from commuters, taxi-drivers to taxi companies, have
different interests."
But the
industry is certain that changes are afoot. "I smell something,"
said the managing director of one taxi firm. "We're all waiting for
Comfort(DelGro) to make the first move. As the biggest player, it
has to make the first move."
ComfortDelGro Corp said
it does not comment on fare issues.
Cabbies
have mixed reactions to the possible fare review.
Veteran
taxi driver Victor Yow, 68, said: "To be honest, I'm quite happy
with what's in place now.
"But do
away with ERP charges. They are the reason why it's hard to get a
cab at Lucky Plaza but easy to get one at Far East Plaza, why there
are few cabs at Takashimaya but tons at Ion Orchard."
As for the
typical dearth of cabs just before a surcharge kicks in, Mr Yow
said: "That's normal."
He told The
Straits Times that it is difficult to standardise fares because of
the different rental rates levied for different cabs.
National
Taxi Association adviser Ang Hin Kee said if fares are to be
simplified, then rental and other charges levied on cabbies must be
simplified too.
He noted
that the association had proposed a fixed monthly charge for
ERP.
Commuters
feel differently. Financial consultant Lynn Chua, 42, finds the
myriad of fares and surcharges "too confusing".
"It'll be
good to have a standardised flagdown fare," the regular cab
commuter said. "All cabs are the same, whether it's a (Hyundai)
Sonata or Renault.
"Comfort
level is the same, and they still take us to our
destinations."
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