By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 12/12/2011
Fewer passengers following taxi fare hike, say cabbies
Fewer passengers following taxi fare hike, say cabbies
0You recommend this62%You don’t recommend this38%Shared 5
times
Taxis in Singapore
SINGAPORE: ComfortDelGro taxi drivers
observed a drop in passenger numbers, as revised cab fares kicked
in on Monday.
The changes include an extended peak—hour surcharge from 6.00am
to 9.30am.
Previously, the surcharge started an hour later, at 7.00 am.
Cabbies said there were 20 per cent fewer passengers during the
extended hour.
But they noted that this is not an accurate reflection of
numbers, as December is the school holiday period.
Some added that passenger trends should firm up by January, when
more customers return to work.
Those who took ComfortDelGro taxis during the peak period to the
Central Business District noted a slight increase in their
fares.
This could be because under the new fare structure, the meter
jumps by 22 cents instead of 20 cents previously, but over a longer
distance.
So long—distance trips would be harder hit.
But with the peak—hour surcharge now cut from 35% to 25% of
metered fare, others said they barely noticed any difference in
their fares.
Meanwhile other taxi operators say they are also in the midst of
reviewing their fare structures.
— CNA/cc/ir
