Newbie start with Merc Cab

Sgm40 vps SG

Hi all bros, I know this is ridiculous for some! I was offered a Trans Merc Cab as relief driver for day driving (6am-6pm, day+night on Sats). I have no experience at all..

I hope i can get some valuable advice from all the senior bros here....I'm in a dilemma of whether to take or not.

1. Is it ok to start my taxi career with this cab? it depend mostly on bookings and 'special' arrangements via network. The hirer also offer his talkie network forme to join in.

2. Understand Comfort need at least 6 mths driving experience before one can switch over to limo cabs. How about Trans? Sorry I've yet to check with them...

3. What are the pros & cons for taking Trans cab? eg: lesser diesel kiosk? payment later than Comfort's transaction, etc..

4. Heard that trans now also equipped with cashless mode of transaction, eg: visa & nets.

I am really lost at this moment as all my 'research' had done on only one taxi company... comfort. really no ideas on Transcab terms & condition.

Pls advise. Thank you.

Just_do_it_lah SG

Most of the cabs companies have a "Payment system and/or GPRS" in their cabs.. Hence, the drivers need to be trained to use the equipments (for cashless payment) w/o any difficulties.. Go check with your hirer or company if there is a IN HOUSE COURSE for you to attend, in order to understand and operate the payment system w/o fail. From my understanding, changing shifts for most taxi drivers are at 5pm to 5am. Starting later at 6pm means 1hr of evening peak hour is lost. And nowadays after midnite, you got to be super lucky to get a Pax, which means, you got only 6 hours from 6pm to breakeven your rental, diesel (or CNG for some Union Cab), cab wash $$. UNFORTUNATELY, there are TOOOOO MANY TAXIs already... every where you cruise (in town) is FULL of TAXis waiting for PAX after Midnight !!! Good Luck to you.....

Sgm40 vps SG

Tks JDIT.

I knew about the odd timing which I need to work out with my hirer on the appropriate time for me to take over.. eg: 0630hrs.

The rental work out to be about $65 fm 6-6.

Just_do_it_lah SG

Well, this "changing shift arrangement" should be iron out before you start driving for the said partner. Night Shift drivers like you should have given the priority of timing (unless you can't get one near your house). I understand from my friend that driving a normal cab (even the auto-gear Sonatas oftered by Comfort Delgro) earns more because of lower rental vs Mercedes cab rental (saved $15 per half shift per day, 1 month $450 richer). With already heavily populated taxis industry (estimated 24,000 taxis), competition is very stiff. Almost everywhere (Hotels, Casinos) provides Private Limo services, hence, getting into taxi industry now is a BIG challenge for some... Keep your operating cost low is the MOST IDEAL situation for a NEWBIE... Driving comfortably may be in your top priority.. but when you clocked below a reasonable take-home payroll, isn't it worth ? Furthermore, are you ROAD-wise ? do you know all hotels and place of interest well ? Mercedes Limos Cabby are supposed to be the Premier Group of drivers whom roam the island on their fingertips....

Sgm40 vps SG

I see. I am driving day, not night... for a start. Instead of 6-6, I am working with him for 6.30 to 4.30pm so that both of us can start 1/2 hr before peak hr.

As for the rental, yes, it was one of my considerations too. You got a point here. I am taking the higher rate for limo cabs and booking surcharge vis-a-vis to the normal cab's charges too. of cse, other factors too.

My top priority here is finding one in Pasir Ris.

I am quite confident & familiar with all major roads & hotels here.

I think I shall give it a shot..

Hope to hear more from all before I commit. Tml evening is my deadline! sob sob!

Tks jdit

Just_do_it_lah SG

Oops.. I read wrongly.. tot you are driving the night shifts.. Day shifts starting at 6am is ok.. anyway, the locals are "not Stupid"... they will flagged down a cab only after the National Anthem had been sang (every 6am).. no midnite surcharges... you will have Passengers every where for you to choose.. Good Luck to you as Drive cabs are never a bed of roses.... All Hard work... cheers...( Beware of those Monkeys in white, carrying cameras, hiding at the overhead bridges )..

Sgm40 vps SG

Haa. Tks alot bro. You too drive carefully.

Zero 5 SG

U think u the only one ?

Mangodew is one !

Sillyegg was another , he quitted after 3 months .

Not easy .

Still can la , but rental a bit stiff .

Saturday ? U know why he want you to drive Saturday ? Cos Saturday sucks , worst of the week !

Poolman SG

U know something , this hirer obviously been OMO night shift , and on a busy Friday night , if he drove until morning 6am , the next thing he want is to have a good sleep .

Better than taxi park there , he must well lease out to somebody new bird , dunno market rate .

U can ask for $55 , say Uncle Poolman say one .

If he don't agree , pls drive a comfort , alot anywhere in Singapore .

Poolman SG

If good deal , u think u have a chance ?

No la , not a single hope if good deal .

Bad deal .

Poolman SG

1. it depend mostly on bookings and 'special' arrangements via network. The hirer also offer his talkie network forme to join in.

In normal walkie market , if hirer is walkie owner , he can let relief use for free , not need join any as member .

Now u are given a form to sign ? Fuck la .

Sgm40 vps SG

Tks for the valuable advice. Apppreciate.

I am quite optimistic at this hour and would like to give a try. Maybe I shall try for just a month and see whether I am ok or not.

kingzkong SG

U think u the only one ?

Mangodew is one !

Sillyegg was another , he quitted after 3 months .

Not easy .

Still can la , but rental a bit stiff .

Saturday ? U know why he want you to drive Saturday ? Cos Saturday sucks , worst of the week !

Hmm...

05??

moderator??

PxxxMxx??

Poolman SG

komade SG

Hmm...

05??

moderator??

PxxxMxx??

hehe he do so obvious liao...... :P

wrxs204 SG

Hi Bro Sgm40 vps......my scenario is slightly different from you, but just for sharing purpose.

I used to drive a Mercs cab as well. As I'm a super relief, I only drive on Sundays (my preference). Driving hours is 4.30am-4.30pm. However, there are times when the relief handover the car late (eg 5am). My rental was $67 for half shift.

My strategy is to pick & go or take calls. I can make about on average about $150, it can go up to $180 if that particular day is good. Take note that the amount earned is after deducting rental, car wash and diesel.

For meals (breakfast & lunch combined), I take about 20 mins and off I go. Hope this helps.

Just_do_it_lah SG

Tks for the valuable advice. Apppreciate.

I am quite optimistic at this hour and would like to give a try. Maybe I shall try for just a month and see whether I am ok or not.

Since you are driving a Dynasty Mercedes Cab.. it is adviceable to join some taxi grouping (namely Limo2000, K-Limo etc) as there are limited GPRs calls for Union Cabs. The pros of the group is the members within provides road conditions, airport "pick & go" (if you are near east, you can turbo to airport) or even Limo Q at airport.. sometimes, members do tells you important info likes TP speed traps locations... (drive whole day = pay to TP.. nuts)... the only operational cost is that you have to pay GRID walky a monthly subscription fee of min $28 to $48 with a Limit cap at $88 (w/o GST).. Furthermore Limo Groups do have premier jobs like Hotel Departures (normally at nett $33 per trip) .. Hourly Disposal booking, $35 x min 2 hours... When Formula One Night Race comes to town again, you will likely to have hourly booking ranging from 4hrs to 8hrs.... This jobs diff from the normal cabs.. If you just want to wait for Pax at Taxi Qs, then, you don't need to drive a Mercedes Cab with higher Operational Cost, ie, rental.

Just_do_it_lah SG

BTW, wat is your cab number ? tomorrow (Wed) can buy 4Ds... Dynasty Mercz normally has 2 to 3 digits... can add a 0 in front or behind......

Sgm40 vps SG

Bro, r u driving one now? I am really not sure on those jobs like hotel departures, hourly disposal and how they operate the walkie group and how it works.

Questions:

1. I subscripe GRID, given a call-sign and frequency for that gp, and I will take bookings from whoever announce? Understand it is broadcast by individual, not group head or call centre. is it correct? what if other cabby chiong to grab customer even though I cfm my booking? will this happen?

2. Who assign those hotel or special assignment? is it a standard rate charged?

3.How is this Limo Q at airport works? simple as the normal cab Q?

Any further advise? Appreciate with Tks.

PS: I do not want to wear such a big hat where my head is so tiny!

Just_do_it_lah SG

Bro, r u driving one now? I am really not sure on those jobs like hotel departures, hourly disposal and how they operate the walkie group and how it works.

Questions:

2. Who assign those hotel or special assignment? is it a standard rate charged?

3.How is this Limo Q at airport works? simple as the normal cab Q?

Any further advise? Appreciate with Tks.

PS: I do not want to wear such a big hat where my head is so tiny!

I am not driving... haha..hence can't provide you with further details.... got 2 close friends driving for comforts mercedes cab...