I would like to take this opportunity to highlight and share my
personal unpleasant experience to cab takers out there.
On 15/11/2007 at 2015hrs, I boarded a Premier Taxi (SHB
8343C) from Singapore Post (Paya Lebar) to Tampines
Central. As I was in a rush, I only realized that I had
insufficient cash with me after a few minutes before moving
off.
Thus, I politely asked the taxi driver (male Chinese) if there were
other modes of payment but he told me bluntly only cash. So I
informed him that he could drop me near the ATM so that I could
withdraw cash to pay him. He did not bother to reply and instead
instantly put up a disgruntled face which could be easily spotted
from the rear mirror.
When we were close to the destination, he asked me where I wanted
to alight and I informed him that I could alight near the Tampines
MRT station despite the fact that I was going to Century Square
directly. This was due to the fact that there is an ATM machine at
the Tampines MRT station and within a short distance to avoid
delaying the taxi driver further. He remarked that I should have
told him earlier so that he could go by a faster and more
appropriate route.
He asked if the place was congested and I replied that I did not
need to alight at the Tampines Mall Taxi stand as the location was
always crowded. Instead, I told him I could alight at the bus
drop-off/alight point beside the Tampines MRT station. I repeated
to him again that the reason for alighting at the said location is
to ensure that I could withdraw cash to pay him. He ignored and did
not respond again.
Upon reaching the destination at around 2025hrs, the taxi driver
wanted me to leave something behind while I left to withdraw money.
He said because he did not know me at all and did not trust me. I
agreed with the point he raised but the only item with me at that
time was the airmail parcel valued approximately US$80 which I had
just collected from Singapore Post. The taxi fare shown in the
meter was less than $8 dollars. I only had $6 dollars plus and
could not afford to risk leaving the parcel behind in case he drove
off with it. Thus, I proposed that he followed me to the ATM.
He refused and claimed that he will be fined for leaving his
vehicle behind. While I agreed with his point, I was trying to
think of an alternative solution and it was at this moment that he
started to turn aggressive and raised his voice at me. He shouted
phrases that I should not take taxi if I have no money with me,
Dont try to pull off any tricks, etc.
I felt he was starting to adopt personal attacks based on his words
used and thus I told him that his attitude was unprofessional and
unacceptable. Sensing his aggressive behavior, I moved out of the
taxi and try to contact the taxi company. He came out of his cab
and began hurling abuses, shouted and yelled at me in full view of
the general public as he wanted to use the situation to humiliate
me. He also mentioned that I should not rebuke and raised my voice
because I had no money to pay him which I did not yell at
him.
I managed to find the companys contact number and called to ask
for advice and raised my complaint. While I was talking to the
customer executive, Tasha, the cab driver shouted that if I wanted
to call the police he could drive me to the station. I told him
that I was not calling the police and continued to provide the
information to Tasha as requested.
Suddenly, he took out his handphone to snap pictures of me while I
was still assisting in the report. I did not stop him from taking
photos as the first thought that came to my mind was that he wanted
to use it as a proof that I did not pay the taxi fare and if I
intervened, it may turn into physical attack based on the tense
situation.
Next, he returned back to his taxi and drove off even when one of
the passer-by waved to him to wait. All the happenings were
reported to Tasha. I also enquired about his possession of my
photos without my approval and payment of the taxi fare since he
just drove off. Tasha mentioned that she would submit the report
for the management review and I will be kept informed. Till now, I
had yet to receive any call from the company and to pay the
outstanding fare.
