How? Let me give you a piece of what the govt is going to do to
the wages of Singaporeans working class before I answer it.
After the election, the govt recognised that wages of
Singaporeans' worker need to increase by 30% in a 10 period in
order for average singaporeans to be able to cope with the
inflation, that stand at a all time high of 5.5% now. Spread across
a 10 years period, 3% wage increase is on the card, for those lower
income, more need to be done, thru skill training and
productivity.
Coming back to TD, how? Can taxi fare increase by 30% in 10
years time??
Now in earning, there are 2 types of earning, one is call
variable component, the other is non variable component.
In a working condition, variable component comprises of bonuses,
profit sharing, productivity sharing, lump sum, exordinary bonuses
for good performing. It is more of a one time off payment and it
can move and change with times. For TD earning, Peak hrs and
surcharges are variable component, it can change here and there,
depending on condition, both internal and external environment, the
situation and the regulations. Surcharges can be remove and also
can be implement here and there, so are peak period, these are much
beyong our control, because it is variable, someone on the top
decide.
The non variable factor is the wages, the fix wages, and to TD,
is the fares, increase flag down fares, per km fares, or 1st km
fares will ultimately change TD earning tremendously, more
importantly, it is fixed, and I believe that everyone, including
workers and TD will like these type of increment. However, for TD,
the govt choose to slowly increase such fares, as TD, you should
know how many donkey years they increase one time. And because they
refuse to increase the fare, with some putting it on a temporary
basis. like premier 50 cents removed, govt/LTA can therefore
manipulate you here and there by giving non variable gain of peak
hours and surcharges. For once, I prefer they increase taxi fares,
1st km fares and per km fares, then going into extending peak hours
for their gain.
Like what BCL said, stand on one rate and just
increase on that rate, which is the fix fares, and fix fares stay
with us forever. Just a worker, he prefer a fix salary increment
than some lump sum, because that increase go with him forever.