Still more can be done to address our taxi issues
Letter from GABRIEL LOW
Wednesday • December 12, 2007
I feel the taxi-fare increase is a good start to helping taxi drivers earn more while making it easier for passengers to flag taxis in the city. However, I think more could be done to address this issue.
I suggest that taxi drivers not be allowed to change shifts during peak periods to make it easier for commuters to flag taxis.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) could also waive peak-hour Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges for taxis, or charge them a token ERP fee, to encourage taxi drivers to enter ERP zones.
Taxi drivers could be allowed to form cooperatives to own their taxis, subject to their meeting strict maintenance standards.
I am in favour of all moves to improve our taxi service, but we should not simply increase fares without addressing other factors. It is in our economic interests to keep taxi fares competitive and our fleet of taxis operating efficiently.
It is important to strike a balance between keeping taxi fares affordable, taxi companies profitable and ensuring taxis are available when they are needed.
Time for Case to intervene?
Letter from David Soh Poh Huat
The Consumers Association of Singapore should evaluate if the taxi-fare increase is necessary and how it affects commuters throughout the day.
It seems to me that the latest increases are addressing the complaints of those who only take taxis during peak hours.
Given the public feedback, perhaps the authorities could also explain their rationale for approving the fare increases.
A trial period for new fares
Letter from KHOO LIH HAN
I Feel the revised taxi fares and surcharges should be introduced on a trial basis, to see if they result in more taxis entering the city area and help taxi drivers offset rising fuel costs. If these issues are not solved after a period of say, three months, new measures could be tried to solve these issues.
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