Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, March
4
SINGAPORE: On the first day of the work week since the change
kicked in, cabbies and commuters alike did not seem to have bought
into the new rule that taxis can stop for passengers only at taxi
stands and building driveways in the Central Business District.
Taxi drivers were seen picking up and dropping off passengers
along Bras Basah Road at 2pm on Monday, three days after the rule
was introduced on Saturday. The rule applies every day from 7am to
10pm, except on Sundays and public holidays.
Outside Hitachi Tower, a previously popular spot for hailing
cabs along Collyer Quay, TODAY observed within a span of 15 minutes
10 commuters attempting to flag one down along the main road. While
some taxis drove by, at least five stopped to pick up or allow
passengers to alight.
Since Saturday, Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers have
warned at least 92 taxi drivers who violated the new ruling.
One in two commuters TODAY spoke to said they were not aware of
the new rule. Many grumbled about the hassle.
Secretary Jessie Lum, 38, said: "The purpose of taking a taxi is
for my convenience. Otherwise, I might as well take a train or a
bus if I have to walk far to reach a taxi stand."
SMRT taxi driver P S Velan, 34, said passengers still demanded
to alight at their preferred spots. "This is especially so on rainy
days, where some taxi stands can be quite a distance from sheltered
areas."
Another problem is that not all taxi stands allow queues, he
said. Some allowed up to only two vehicles at any one time.
Some passengers were furious when told of the new rule.
Trans—cab taxi driver Tang Kian Cheong, 63, told TODAY in some
instances commuters threw the money at the cabbies and got out at a
traffic light as they did not want to alight too far away from
their destination.
"Passengers insist on stopping where they choose but, in the
end, we taxis drivers are the ones who risk being fined. Some
quarrel with us, saying they pay so much, yet have to walk so far,"
recounted an annoyed CityCab taxi driver, Mr Richard Low, 60.
But he was concerned about one passenger "an old lady with a
walking stick" who alighted at a stand far from where she wanted to
go. Mr Low suggested that the LTA allowed taxi commuters to be let
off at small lanes with less traffic.
An LTA spokesperson said the rules should be followed even on
rainy days or other special circumstances for they are "in the
interest of the passengers’ safety".
Associate manager David Soh, 51, pointed out that
wheelchair—bound passengers might not always be able to access taxi
stands.
Group corporate communications officer for ComfortDelGro
Corporation Tammy Tan said drivers had highlighted several
anticipated problems, including disagreements with customers about
being dropped off at taxi stands on rainy days and those who are
physically—challenged.
"We are working closely with the LTA and the taxi associations
with regard to these issues and seek the understanding of
passengers with regard to the need to board and alight at taxi
stands," she said.
Taxi drivers who breach the rules under the new scheme face a
$100 fine and three demerit points. — TODAY/so
