Monday 28 December 2009

Taxi accident - Taxi hits couple in shopping mall crash

Wednesday 23 December 2009

Trucks obstructing taxi queue

Singapore Taxi ridership 2009

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Violent against cabby - 两男子对德士司机动粗都判坐监

Singapore cabby income - The fall and rise of taxi drivers' fortunes

Singapore loanshark - 乘客掉一支粗笔 司机助逮阿窿跑腿

Singapore loanshark - Cabby's tip-off leads to arrest

Taxi accident - 汽车德士相撞 卡在沟渠

bicycle accident death - 散工骑脚踏车被罗厘撞死 - 邱海发

Taxi Robber jailed 5 years

Taxi accident death - 德士撞大树 司机当场丧命

Saturday 5 December 2009

乘客投诉德士未必都有理

乘客投诉德士未必都有理
(2009-12-04)

冯荣川
  我是一名德士司机,在这一行已9年,9年来,尽量做好本份的工作,不超速,也帮客人拿东西,老人家也少收钱,尽量做到不求有功,但求无过,连续9年没有被人投诉过。最近半年却不幸一再被投诉。今年10月的某一天下午6点10分,在靠近布业中心的德士站,由于没有乘客,我下车开后盖清洁德士后面,走来一个新加坡人,一个中国女孩,他们匆匆展开一张信说,要去Upper
Thomson,但又接着说要去Kampong Java。我的换班时间是定在6点30分左右。

  我就告诉他,我不顺路,时间上来不及了,我帮你叫一辆德士。德士也很快就叫到了,德士来了以后,他脸色一变,说我"遇到人"了(意思大概是说:我遇到克星了),他要投诉我,用手机拍下了车牌号码。上了德士以后,他还开窗向我比手势,意思是说要置我于死地,我没想到我已经帮他叫车了,他还不领情,只好一笑置之。

  过了几天陆路交通管理局(LTA)叫我去解释,我把详细情形讲出来,换回来的是罚款300元和两个星期"停牌"不能驾德士。

  麻烦公司写信要求,不得要领,我想请问有关部门,如果一些好事者对我们德士司机的无理投诉,都全面采信的话,我们德士司机生活岂不是很难过。如今,路上的德士多如过江之鲫,德士司机讨生活很不容易,如果司机不是有急事或即将换班,那有不载客的道理。

  我不久前也曾被乘客投诉拒载,但当时是因为人有三急,我赶着去上厕所,我当时也照实向陆交局官员解释了,他们也接受了。但这次他们不接受,是否因为上次的"案底",影响了他们对我的印象。

  我太太已有两三年没上班了(近50岁的人被裁后是很难找工作的),因此,两星期没驾车对我影响很大,我也因此失眠了好几个晚上。

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Japanese national lodges successful appeal against six—week jail sentence

Japanese national lodges successful appeal against six—week jail sentence
Channel NewsAsia - Friday, November 27

Japanese national lodges successful appeal against six—week jail sentence

SINGAPORE: A Japanese national escaped imprisonment yesterday after he lodged a successful appeal against his six—week jail sentence for assaulting a taxi driver.

Mr Taniguchi Mitsuru left the cab without paying the fare on September 2 last year, after the driver failed to find the passenger’s destination despite driving round the Punggol Estate repeatedly.

Cabbie Lim Hing Soon then pursued Mr Mitsuru to collect his taxi fare but the intoxicated passenger pushed the driver.

Mr Lim, 65, then returned to his taxi to retrieve an umbrella, but fell to the ground during the tussle. The scuffle for control of the umbrella continued and the cabbie suffered a cut on his forehead.

Lawyer Tan Lee Cheng argued that Mr Mitsuru’s actions were in "self—defence", and the case was not one where the passenger laid "direct blows" or "went for the jugular". "The minute he (Mr Mitsuru) saw the taxi driver bleed, he stopped," added Ms Tan.

But deputy public prosecutor Hay Hung Chun argued that a custodial sentence was still appropriate — the passenger could have paid part of the fare and then lodge a complaint with the taxi company instead.

Justice Lee Seiu Kin noted that Mr Mitsuru, 47, feared the cabbie would use the umbrella to hit him. The High Court Judge substituted the Japanese’s jail sentence with a $2,000 fine.

But Justice Lee drew a distinction between this assault and another against a public bus driver.
In that case, Balbir Singh, 45, kicked a bus driver on his leg after being reminded the second time to pay his fare. In appealing against the one—month jail sentence, lawyer S K Kumar argued yesterday that Mr Singh’s assault on the bus was committed in "a spur of the moment" and that he was "in a hurry".

But Justice Lee rebutted the lawyer’s argument, "Half of the people taking bus are in a hurry too."

The High Court Judge noted that the bus driver was merely doing his job when he asked Mr Singh to pay his fare.

"What business does your client have in going around kicking them? He was unreasonable and obnoxious," said Justice Lee, who also noted that the safety of other bus passengers or road users might be at stake.

The High Court Judge said a deterrent message needed to be sent out that attacks against bus drivers would not be tolerated. "If you try this kind of stunt and endanger other people on the bus, we will put you in," added Justice Lee. — TODAY/vm

cabby assaulted - Jap national who assaulted cabby spared jail term, but not local who kicked bus driver

http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11/27/jap-national-who-assaulted-cabby-spared-jail-term-but-not-local-who-kicked-bus-driver/

Jap national who assaulted cabby spared jail term, but not local who kicked bus driver
November 27, 2009 by admin

Written by Our Correspondent

Two similar cases of appeal was heard by High Court judge Justice Lee Seiu Kin yesterday with two different results.

While a Japanese national was successful in his appeal against imprisonment for assaulting a cabby, a Singaporean was jailed a month for kicking a bus driver.

Mr Taniguchi Mitsuru, 47, a Japanese construction site manager was initially sentenced to six weeks’ jail in September for using an umbrella to assault a cabby on the forehead and thigh.
He had hailed Mr Lim Hing Soon’s cab along Orchard Road in the early hours of Sept 2 last year after a night out with a friend at a pub. Mr Lim then pursued Mr Mitsuru to collect his taxi fare but was pushed to the ground by Mr Mitsuru.

When Mr Lim returned to his taxi to retrieve an umbrella, Mr Taniguchi tried to grab it away from him and both fell to the ground during the tussle.

The scuffle for control of the umbrella continued which resulted in the victim having a 7cm-long cut over the forehead, a left upper thigh wound and chest pain.

Mr Mitsuru’s lawyer argued that his actions were in “self-defence” and he stopped when he saw the taxi driver bleed. Justice Lee substituted Mr Mitsuru’s jail sentence with a $2,000 fine.

In another case, Singaporean Balbir Singh was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for kicking a bus driver on his leg after being reminded the second time to pay his fare.

Justice Lee dismissed his appeal on the grounds that the act was committed in “a spur of the moment” and that he was “in a hurry”.

He said a deterrent message needed to be sent out that attacks against bus drivers would not be tolerated.

Why not limit a taxi's speed

wilson lim

Updated 10:59 AM December 02, 2009

LOL... probably taxi drivers watch too much racing movies like Initial
D and Tokyo Drift. they may drive reasonably fast, but always with
their passengers' safety as their top priority. they need to be
responsible for their passengers' lives and safety, throughout the
entire ride.

John Potus

Updated 10:58 AM December 02, 2009

There are speed limits on our road, so we don't need more rules and
regulations to govern our lives. And I certainly don't want taxis to
be road hogging.

Anyway, I am a pedestrian. I find private car owners to be just as
guilty, if not more, of speeding than taxis drivers. They often drive
way too fast and recklessly, posing a serious danger to pedestrians.
The public should also not be put at risk from these private car
owners breaking the law.

Why can't private car be fitted with speed limiters? Limiting their
speed would improve safety and fuel economy and improve maintenance
costs.

The fact is that no one should be speeding and not only taxi drivers.

awong

Updated 10:56 AM December 02, 2009

These are some of the taxi drivers that thinks they are the "tai
kor"(big brother) on the road. They drives very aggresive and thinks
other should give way to them.

Some even hogs the right most expressways lane. Even they are driving
within the speed limit, the right lanes are meant for overtaking.

GTUpdated 10:50 AM December 02, 2009

I fully agree. I have quite frequently noticed taxis weaving in and
out of traffic at high speeds and driving very recklessly. I
personally believe that these speed limiters would reduce the risk
caused by high-speed taxis and make our road safer for all.

The cabbie from hell

terence
Updated 11:17 AM December 02, 2009

Seriously, your Mac smell will linger in the car over some time if he
didnt wind down the window. You should be more considerate. He already
got the window up.

Come on, everyone needs to earn a living. Give that man a break. He
just want to get you to your destination fast and to prevent the smell
from lingering in the cab longer.

You're simply wasting your time trying to get an apology from him.
That passerby also got nothing better to do by acting hero ?

Whats more? You didn't get his plate number and driver's name. How are
you going to lodge a complain ?

And if you want to put visitors into view, have you even considered
how the visitor will feel if they smell the stale smell from your mac
dinner in his car ? How will they think ?

Before you want to lodge a complain, please think about it.. Did you
tie up your dinner to prevent the smell from diffusing into the cab?
You're one irresponsible consumer.

wilson lim
Updated 10:49 AM December 02, 2009

note down the taxi driver's name on his dashboard and his carplate
number, and then report him to the police or his taxi company for his
errant and dangerous behaviour. he can run, but he can't hide. don't
argue with him, especially if you are a woman and have little kids
with you. why endanger yourself and your kids in the first place? some
food for thought.

Taxi sign board @ Ritz-Carlton

Thursday 19 November 2009

cab Vomit Surcharge

Posted by: 自言自语 on 19-11-09 12:51 AM

这不叫罚。 因为病人也好,酒鬼也好,只要在德士车上吐,就已经给德士师傅带来了极大的不便,接下来他不但不能载客,反而还要花上好几个钟头来清洗车里的呕吐物,还要让车里的臭酸味慢慢消除,这段时间的损失谁要来负责。当然是那个吐在车上的人啦!
你以为是病人就大事啊?人家可是靠德士来谋生的,你不补几十元给人家,还期望人家因为你是病人而不跟你计较,那太自私了吧!

Posted by: 撞石草 on 19-11-09 12:36 AM

如果是病人呕吐, 也照样罚?

Posted by: YamPotato on 18-11-09 10:24 AM

吐的是洋酒(XO, Hennessy) - SGD 200 吐的是啤酒 - SGD 20 吐的是啤酒(还是冰的)- 喝回去算免费

Posted by: POPOWOO1 on 18-11-09 08:36 AM

当然合理啦 , 你吐了就下车睡觉 ,司机还要洗, 抹, 吹干, 免得留下臭味结果 是没有收入, 还多一份工. 附加费要$70/- 才够.
如果生病, 记得拿纸袋, 加上 , 上车时先'知会' 德士司机. 最后劝你一句 , 不会喝, 不要 '假利害' .
我就是一个身体弱,常常会在德士上呕吐的人

Posted by: 能死不能病 on 17-11-09 10:24 PM

我倒觉得很合理。把别人赚钱的工具弄脏,补钱是应该的。而且清除后可能还有异味。

Thursday 12 November 2009

Driven round the bend by cabby with poor English

November 9, 2009 Monday

Driven round the bend by cabby with poor English

LAST Thursday at about 9pm, my husband, who is from England, hailed a cab from our home in Segar Road, off Bukit Panjang Ring Road, to pick me up from the renal centre near Chinese Gardens.

He told the driver in clear English to take him to Chinese Gardens and the cabby said 'Chinee Gardens'. My husband corrected him umpteen times but the cabby kept repeating 'Chinee Gardens'. When the route he took was not familiar, my husband told him he had taken the wrong way, but the cabby insisted he was right.

They ended up at Changi Gardens. My husband was frustrated and upset, paid the cabby his fare and took another cab home as he could not reach the renal centre in time. Needless to say, our night did not end well.

Singapore has emphasised the need for workers to speak Mandarin so they can communicate with Mandarin-speaking clients. How about training people to speak clear and precise English so they can communicate with English-speaking clients, who make up the majority?

This is not our only experience with non-English-speaking people in the service industry. A female server at Haagen-Dazs in Holland Village once asked us to speak Mandarin. I have no problems if people want to speak Mandarin, but please do not behave as if other languages do not matter.

Rohaya Hamid-Douglas (Mrs)


Of job offers and cabbies


How to prevent a 'gutter' taxi service


Henry Lim
Updated 11:42 PM November 11, 2009
Taxi-drivers are self-employed, not salary-paid staff by any employer and therefore, they don't owe any commuter a living. If talking about commuter's rights, taxi-drivers also have their own rights as a self-boss, self-employed person. They can choose commuters and reject those who they think are suspicious and may rob them. Or reject those which are not along the same way as they are changing shifts or going home, so as to cut time loss and petrol cost. Blame the system of taxi-operators who does not want to hire drivers as salary staff. And pass the bulk of cost to the taxi-driver who in return, has the right to choose and pick commuters who directly affect their cost computation. By the way, I am not a taxi-driver.
wilson lim
Updated 11:01 AM November 11, 2009
woohoo~! it's time to kick some a-s-s! errant taxi drivers, beware! you WILL be reported, and your taxi driving licence "gan-dung", if you still continue to act "yaya papaya", or the next time, you refuse a customer for no valid reason. read between the lines of my three fingers! neh! :p we only want to keep good taxi drivers, not bad ones.

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Cab - Accident

Can cabbies refuse customers



Ah Koon
If taxis queue at a taxi stand, it is also a clear indication the drivers are waiting for a fare. Don't argue with picky drivers. Just note down the details like date, location, taxi license no, time etc, and send these to LTA/Taxi Co.
Ah Koon
The moment a taxi which you have flagged down stops, open the rear door, and get in. Thereafter, you tell him where your destination is. If a taxi driver is on its way to a phone booking, is changing shift or is going for a break ( meals/toilet etc) he would normally just whiz you by. The fact that he stops is incontrovertible proof he wants a fare. I always got into the taxi first, and then told him my destination. That way, he could not justify not taking me to my destination. Hope this helps. Alternately, video the entire episode and send the details of the driver, with the clip to LTA/Taxi Co for further action.

Wednesday 28 October 2009

被指企图抢劫 中国富家子无罪释放

被指企图抢劫 中国富家子无罪释放

(2009-10-28 4.30pm)

(新加坡讯)上星期被控企图抢劫德士司机,导致德士冲上路堤再撞店屋前柱子的中国男子,今天已获判无罪释放。

  联合晚报报道,这名27岁的男子周孙福,来自中国福建省,据他的女友吴丽君透露,他在中国是房地产公司老板,而他的母亲是经营酒店业务,家境富裕。

  本案在今天提堂时,控方要求法庭撤销被告的罪状,因此,法庭即刻宣判被告无罪释放。

  今早,吴丽君与周孙福的母亲陈女士以及好几个亲友,都到法庭旁听,他们在知道周孙福获无罪释放后,深感庆幸。女友吴丽君说,这证明周孙福是清白的,而他们对发生这样的事深感不解,因此将与律师商量该如何处理此事。

  已撤销的控状指出,被告是在19日凌晨5时25分,于沈氏道靠近芽笼29巷的路段,在一辆行驶中的德士内,企图抢劫德士司机李启俊(61岁)的财物。

  案件发生时,德士冲上路堤的巴士站,再撞上店屋前的柱子,德士毁坏,以致李启俊和被告困在德士里动弹不得。

《联合早报网》(编辑:杨丽娟)

涉抢德士导致车祸 中国男子被控

涉抢德士导致车祸 中国男子被控
(2009-10-22)

涉嫌在沈氏道抢劫德士司机,导致德士失控酿成车祸的男子昨天被控上法庭。

  被告是27岁的周顺福(译音),来自中国福建,持观光证到我国。

  控状指他在10月19日清晨5时25分左右,在近芽笼29巷近沈氏道一带,企图打抢61岁的德士司机李启俊。

  案发时,周顺福假装乘客,上了德士后要司机李启俊交出财物。德士司机仍留医 情况稳定  据报道,李启俊当时相信因紧张而误踩油门,导致整辆德士冲上路堤的巴士站,再撞上店屋前的柱子。

  李启俊和周顺福双双受伤,受困德士内动弹不得。

  李启俊的左脚骨折、脸上多处割伤,被送往樟宜医院治疗,目前情况稳定。

  个子矮小的周顺福之后被警方带走,目前仍扣押在勿洛警署。他的代表律师是卢平池,案展本月28日再过堂。

早报网

Whose fault? PRC on social visit pass acquitted of robbery charge

http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/10/28/prc-national-on-social-visit-pass-acquitted-of-robbery-charge/

Whose fault? PRC on social visit pass acquitted of robbery charge
October 28, 2009 by admin
From our Correspondent

PRC national Zhou Sunfu who was charged last week for trying to rob a cabby was cleared afther the charge was dropped. He arrived in Singapore on a social visit pass.

The cabby, 61-year-old Robert Lee Khee Choon was warded in hospital after his taxi crashed into a pillar in front of a shophouse.

Zhou was given a discharge amounting to an acquittal on the application of the prosecution. No reasons were given for the discharge.

There were few other details in the report carried by the state media. Neither was the cabby interviewed to find out what exactly happened.

Did Zhou attempt to rob Mr Robert Lee at all? Or was he acquitted due to lack of concrete evidence?

If Zhou had never tried to rob Mr Robert Lee, then the latter must have made a false police report and should be charged in court. However, there was no mention of it.

There must be prima facie evidence to charge Zhou in court in the first place. What did the police investigations reveal?

The abrupt acquittal of Zhou seemed to give the impression that there were lapses somewhere along the chain of investigation. Did the police or prosecution miss out anything?

It is ironical that a PRC suspected of committing a crime in Singapore is given an unconditional discharge by the prosecution while Singapore citizens acquitted of wrong-doing by the court were not so lucky.

Two weeks ago, 5 Singaporeans are acquitted on charges of “illegal procession” for walking in a group from one point to another in public. (read more here)

The Attorney-General Chambers has since filed an appeal against their acquittal and sought to convict them for a “crime” which amounts to a maximum fine of $1,000.

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Thanks, honest cabby

October 13, 2009 Tuesday

Thanks, honest cabby

I AM writing to compliment a CityCab taxi driver for returning a
cellphone I left in the back seat of his taxi (SHB 4517U) last Tuesday
at 8am.

When I realised I had left my phone in the cab, I called my number and
moments later, Mr Loh Kem Sem answered and volunteered to come to my
workplace with my phone. In fact, he left his name, contact number and
my phone with the security guard, without expecting anything from me
in return.

I wish to compliment him on his honesty and express my appreciation
for what he has done.

Mohamed Sulaiman

Cabby who put service before durians

October 13, 2009 Tuesday
Cabby who put service before durians
I WOULD like to compliment Mr Michael Tay of Smart Taxis.
Last Friday, I was stranded at Bangkit Road. Even though it was 8.45pm
and past peak hour, a lot of empty cabs just whizzed by, presumably
because they saw I had two plastic bags that were full. In reality,
most realised I was carrying durians.
My bags were torn and I needed a ride urgently, but unlike 10 drivers
who just whizzed by nonchalantly, only Mr Tay was gallant enough to
stop and ferry me and my durians.
Mr Tay said with a genuine smile that it was okay to ferry me and my
pungent fruit, as he could wind down the windows. He even allowed me
to place the thorny fruit on his leather seats.
Such a wonderful and considerate act begets the same kind of treatment
and I was happy to give him one of my durians. Kudos to Mr Tay, driver
of SHB 9093S Mercedes cab.
Dr George Yang