SMRT guarantee new drivers income of at least $800

Poolman SG

SMRT taxi drivers can now enjoy a guaranteed income under a new scheme from the transport company.

New drivers can earn at least S$800 monthly, but they can earn up to S$1,500 and more.

They also do not have to deal with the hassle of a security deposit.

Drivers also get free diesel, season parking, vehicle service and maintenance support.

The Workforce Development Agency is supporting the scheme by giving S$100 to each driver in its Re-Employment Support Scheme.

NTUC's Skills Redevelopment Programme is also providing a funding of S$400 to help SMRT for the first three months.

Drivers may end up ferrying more than just ordinary passengers.

Said Seng Han Thong, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and advisor to the Taxi Associations, "We are exploring the possibility of providing a taxi medical transfer service, parties involved are LTA, hospitals, and the taxi companies. So we have to look into every aspect of the issue. What are the required medical knowledge and the required medical facility in the vehicle." - CNA

105090 SG

Collect at least $3500 a month = $800 salary excludes bonuses
Collect at least $5000 a month = $1350 salary excludes bonuses

oooh. this means cabbies turns out to be employees of SMRt and taking a salary depending on fares made, unlike the normal scheme where cabbies are like their own bosses

Townlink 268 SG

from the ST report:

apparently this scheme is to help cabbies who cannot tahan long hours behind the wheel, and guarantees them a fixed monthly income.

can see that diesel is killing most ppl even tho cabbies get a 20% diesel discount.

With a market of 22,000 cabs and still growing, Singapore has 1500 idle taxis. (which doesnt explains trailer after trailer of brand new taxis coming in weekly).

however, this scheme may not be attractive as ComfortDelgro Spokesman pointed out:

"Drivers receives a net income of $1350 if they gross $5000 every month. Our Drivers who gross that amount actually take home between $1700 and $1800 a month, after deducting costs like rental, diesel, and carpark charges."

sbst275 SG

Hai see lang...

Later no takers for taxi, saturated

Townlink 268 SG

haha.. looks directly like the com=nsumers are the winners.. many kosong cab.. easy to flag

Poolman SG

Will never work la this method !

Money so low , how to take up ?

For me , If i engaged 14 hours $245 collections daily , multiply 28 days , collection = $6860 , my daily salary is almost $3360 averagely . In terms of $92 taxi rental daily and $28 diesel daily , = $120 .

In contrast to the offer they make , those who took up this offer is a lousy taxi-driver ...... $800 salalry for 31 days , i worked 8 hardworking days can get $800 liao . They have to work 31 days .

Alot of complications also , must sort out .

Townlink 268 SG

woohoo.. thats about $3000 per month!
Poolman, ur cab is ur own or have a relief driver?

Poolman SG

Me ?

I one-man-operation ... no relief . just me alone , why ? One man driving $3000 alot meh ? Drive like f*ck u know ?

Anyway , back to the topic , this basic salary thing don't work with Comfort's and Citycab's drivers , plus all those Private company .

Most would think it doesn't make sense to capable drivers .

seancannot SG

$3000 for 14 hours work everyday

14 X 30 = 420 hours

3K /420 = $7.14 per hour = attractive?? and that is provided poolman is an seasoned driver... no MC, medical benefit , CPF also

The scheme should be attractive to new comer and those who just want to try out for fun... cannot alway quit if dun make it

SBS9889U SG

If i was driving, i would use the Taxi for myself(as a car) and i need not worry about Petrol, still get $800 , worth it.

SBS9611D SG

It seems like SMRT has trouble recruiting cab drivers. Many from the current pool were poached by the start-ups. From what I see, SMRT appears to be using desperate tactics. Rolling Eyes

105090 SG

need a $1350 fare quota to get $800 pay. once u hit $1350, u can say that the vehicle is yours to exploit Laughing

Poolman SG

In the economy situation like this , $1350 enough meh ?

We have done our homework , if SMRT can give $1350 , then driving as solo drivers , can fetch maybe $500 more .... same thing , same benefits , same timing .

Only different , SMRT drivers will be more "lazy" ...... have customer take lor , no customer drink coffee lor attitude .

Previously , about 3 yrs ago , they trial the system on those London Cabbies , in the end , it just doesn't work , so they quietly took out the trial .

Poolman SG

Sounds a bit unreasonably less , just $7.14 /hr ..... I dunno , many drivers like me need just $80-$100 a day , minus off every overheads , that's enough for a decent driver , see what you want in life and satisfactions lor .... afterall , it's like a business .

Poolman SG

I agree .

Poolman SG

Those SMRT's Research and Development officer has done their homework , sounds like once you hit the quota , you can exploit the the vehicle , i don't think it's that easy , nobody can take anything for granted , especially anything that linked with the Government-Link Companies , from what i observe .