What drives the bad cabbies?

Thursday / November 29, 2007
Liang Dingzi

THE good news is that the harsher measures introduced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) have been largely successful in steering errant taxi drivers back in line - at least for now. However, some doubt if the impetus can be sustained, as they are not convinced the root of the problem has been addressed.

While the views are varied, it is clear the incidents of touting and over-charging, as well as the refusal to pick up passengers, are symptoms of deeper issues.

So, what is the underlying problem?

I asked a frequent commuter and, despite the reality, he believes it is because of an apparent shortage of taxis. There are some 22,000 taxis plying the roads, yet from a customer's perspective, the fact remains that taxis are a rare sight during peak hours, booked taxis sometimes fail to turn up, while drivers with empty cabs refuse to pick up passengers.

When demand outstrips supply, some taxi drivers seize the opportunity to arbitrarily charge a premium that is tantamount to overcharging. Many of them have done the math and prefer to wait at certain hot spots instead of cruising. Others take advantage of the various surcharge schemes to make a few extra dollars.

The search for a cure seems to be focused on wielding the stick, which usually has the immediate result of reducing the number of complaints of misconduct. But it requires constant policing, since what it does is intimidate, rather than educate or commit. A spy network had been introduced by the LTA and operator Comfort earlier on, but the situation deteriorated thereafter. Now, it is hoped that stiffer penalties will do the trick.

The LTA should heed the many suggestions offered by the public and look beyond punishment as the only solution. While harsher penalties are effective deterrents, hurting the pocket may lead to other problems and possibly new ways to cheat the system.

Although taxi drivers are the target of complaints, many readers have called for more sympathy to be shown towards the cabbies, who are after all just out to make a living. There have been numerous calls to reduce taxi rentals in view of the rising fuel costs.

Member of Parliament Seng Han Tong, who is also the advisor to the Taxi Operators' Association, recognised the rapidly rising operating costs as the taxi drivers' biggest concern.

"The pressure on them is immense because they have to work hard to earn the extras in order to settle these increases in operating costs," he said.

That being so, it raises two questions: First, does that contribute to the problem? And second, what are taxi companies doing to help their drivers cope with the rising costs? Therein lies the concern that stiffer penalties alone may not be the answer in the long term.

I reiterate a suggestion I have made before: It is time taxi companies review and improve the welfare for their drivers.

Many readers have also called for a revamp of the fare system, favouring a simplified format with fewer surcharges. It is therefore not surprising that Mr Seng's proposal of yet another surcharge - the "location surcharge" to be levied for busy places such as clubs, pubs, hotels and the Central Business District ?has met with much opposition.

If the surcharge is intended to entice more taxis to these places where demand exceeds supply, it is merely shifting the shortage problem. Already, for example, many taxi drivers prefer the long wait at the airport to plying the streets.

And if the surcharge is meant to cajole taxi drivers into not arbitrarily overcharging customers, there is no guarantee the carrot, which seems to be more an expedient measure, will work.

Other worthy suggestions have been made by readers. The LTA should evaluate them, perhaps by having regular feedback sessions. In many instances, punishment is necessary for wrongdoers. But while it may deter - usually in the short term - it does not necessarily correct.

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