Channel NewsAsia - 2 hours 8
minutes ago
SMRT Taxi
Operators Association waiting for members feedback on cab fare
hikes
SINGAPORE: The SMRT Taxi Operators Association says it is waiting
for feedback from its members first before deciding if and when to
bring up the issue of the recent fare hikes within the
association.
Some taxi drivers and most commuters have been unhappy with the
higher cab fares, which were introduced last month.
Abdul Halid Zumat has been driving a taxi for three years.
He used to earn around $200 in each shift, but that has dropped by
about $50, as he has fewer passengers since taxi fares were raised
in December.
So Mr Abdul Halid has come up with an idea, which he believes will
benefit both commuters and cab drivers.
His suggestion change the flagdown rate.
"From $2.50, make it $3.50 onedollar (increase) and the rest,
status quo. Dont have the 35%. This 35%, the public doesnt know,
really. They thought that the increase hits their pocket," said Mr
Abdul Halid, referring to the 35% of the metered fare levied for
peak hour travel.
Like Mr Abdul Halid, some taxi drivers would like a meeting with
the Taxi Operators Association (TOA), which represents the six
taxi operators in Singapore.
The main agenda to assess if the current fare structure is the
best for the drivers.
Meanwhile, SMART Cab Operators Association says it has not
received any feedback on the call for a return to the old $2 peak
period surcharge.
Its president, Chia Hock Peng, said that if it does get such a
feedback, the association will forward it to its executive
secretary Chan Meng Dong and Seng Han Tong, its adviser and MP for
Yio Chu Kang.
As for Singapores largest taxi operator, ComfortDelGro, it has not
revealed if it too is planning to meet its own Comfort Taxi
Operators Association about the recent rise in taxi fares.
The TOA says in an email that it is still monitoring the situation,
adding that it wants to give the new fare hikes some time before
reaching any conclusions. CNA/ir
