Problem is with peak period taxi supply

Problem is with peak period taxi supply
Claire Chung
Today - 2013-09-10

I wonder if the writer of the commentary, "Keep COE auction but boost taxi supply" (Sept 9), knows that the problem is with the demand and supply of taxis during peak periods.

Would it help to boost taxi numbers, though, when there are currently many empty taxis during non-peak periods, and insufficient space for these taxis to queue for passengers?

Look at the number of taxis queuing at Lucky Plaza, Orchard Cineleisure, Centrepoint, Plaza Singapura, et cetera, on a weekday after 9pm, or at the empty taxis cruising for passengers.

Do taxi drivers prefer to wait for call bookings? I have spoken to enough of them to know that many would prefer not to take calls during peak periods as the opportunity cost outweighs the booking incentive. 

If a taxi driver can pick up a passenger from the streets, would a S$3.30 booking charge motivate him to battle through traffic to get to the call destination, by which time the passenger may have already left?

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