Taxi Tales (3)

Went to my favorite spot at Vivocity to pick up passenger in the evening. GrabTaxi goes off, destination Yishun ring road, since I want to make this my last job. I bid for it with my fastest finger. Got the job with a wide grin.

Went in to the taxi stand with a BUSY sign. Picked up a young lady with a long white dress, did not have a good look at her as I do not have this habit of studying their face or body language. I am here to send them point A to point B, not to make friends.

On the way, I hear her sobbing in the back. It gets on and on non-stop. This get awkward as the time goes by.  I starts to wander what happened? All sorts of scenario went through my head. Did she just broke up with her boy friend? She lost her job? Should I help her by lending a listening year?

I did not do anything. She stops crying once we hit Lentor Avenue.

She has time to composed herself, she looks normal or rather composed when she handed me the fare, the fare for this weird journey is $28 to my pocket.

LTA, if you are reading this. Taxi driver will go all out to get the last trip near home at the end of the shift. We do not want to choose customer, but in this case of graptaxi, it helps the passenger to get home earlier, it helps me to get home without wasting diesel and time. WIN WIN.

Super Relief driver

I will be trying out a new way of life in Taxi driving as a Super Relief driver.

Super Relief will not have a fixed Taxi from a fixed hirer to drive for a living. When a hirer goes on vacation, especially if he is an OMO driver. He cannot stop the payment to the Taxi company even he is on vacation. Thus super relief comes in to deflate the rental cost by driving as a "super" relief".

Because of the uncertainty of the job plus the condition of the Taxi is unknown. There are no fixed rate for this market segment. I did managed to dig out some information based on my research with hirer by negotiating with them.

1. Sonata/ magentis - $50 - $60 a day.
2. Prius /renault / Optima - $80 - $90 a day.

Although you will get a lower rental for driving as a super relief. There are some dis-advantages to it. 

1. You do not have a permanent taxi/car to get used to. The moment you are familiar with its car characteristic, it is time to move on to another.
2. You will not have a fixed income due to the fact you might not have a booking everyday. Especially not within the school holiday season. Thus you may be only driving about 20 out of the 30 days in a month.
3. Every Taxi company you sign up as a relief driver, you need to have a security deposit with them. They ranged from $1000 for transcab to $2000 for Prime. 

Taxi Tales (2)

Bad breath

You want to know what is bad breath? How bad can a bad breath be? You might want to ask.

She sits behind me, I can smells it from the driver's seat. When she talks to you, it will knock you out dead. I tried to hold my breath all the time, until I could not take it any more, wind down the windows then take a deep breath. Ahhhhh fresh air.

Next day I bought an air fresher, those that could spray out to mute out those bad odours.


Mother's love

About 6.30 pm on Sunday. Sent a gentleman to the airport. Super long queue of Taxi, it went all the way out to airport boulevard, definitely not worth queuing. So I drove along ECP, deciding whether to enter Rochor road or drive into ECP looking for a fare.

Grabtaxi pings. National sailing centre to Hillview. Bid for the job and got it.

Driving into National sailing centre, only a group of teenagers about 13-15 years old chatting at the reception. So I call the passenger's number provided by grabtaxi, a woman answer the call. She explains she will call her son to come to the Taxi.

Then it dawns on me she is remote supporting her son, booking a Taxi for her son to come home for dinner. I sent him safely home for a fare of $27 dollars.


Two Oranges

Picked up an old lady at AMK Ave 10 around 11.30am. She is going to Upper Thomson road where they serve very good "yong tau fu". We started chatting, along the way she told me her son is driving red colour taxi too. He will bring his grandson to her place so she can looking after them.

She keep on thanking me for picking her up (other taxi skips her as she looks old and frail).

Well, we landed at a landed property where a maid comes out to help her to carry the stuff.

She pass me 2 oranges as a present. I kept them in my car as a reminder not to forget to offer assistant to anyone who needs it.

Life of a O.M.O. Taxi driver

O.M.O. = One man Operation

In Taxi industry context, meaning you are the hirer, you drive the taxi alone without relief for 365 days a year. I have the luck of doing OMO for a year with permier taxi. Driving a 5 years old Kia Magentis.


Breakdown of driving hours to meet the Taxi availability standard.

1. 0600 - 1100 hours. Drive for the morning peak hour human traffic, plus you get to enjoy the 25% peak hour traffic surcharge.
2. 1100 - 1600 hours. Break, sleep, eat and shit.
3. 1600 - 2359 hours. You drive for the evening peak hour human traffic. 
1. 1700-2359 - $3 surcharge starting journey from CBD.
2. 1800-2359 - 25% surcharge on total fare for peak hours.

In this case, OMO driver will be on the road for 13 hours. Actually one more hour than a standard regular shift driver that split the taxi for 12 hours shift between them. But he has to really work during those 13 hours because he will have to pay for the full taxi rental of $133 per day inclusive of GST.

Typically income of this driver is $3000 -$3500. No time for any luxury in the evening unless during the break time in the afternoon.

Breakdown of driving hours to have time with family

1. 0600 - 2000 hours. 14 hours on the road with toilet and meal break in between whenever it is convenience. Sometime lots of Taxi drivers will continue on even they feel the need for toilet break or hunger calls if there are passenger flagging along the way. They afraid once they took the break, people are gone.
2. Compare to the driver above, only 5 of the 14 hours attracts 25% surcharge. Thus the income might be lower thus need to go for longer hours to cover the rental or other expenses.
3. The timing is more like a regular job with regular Over time, but you got to spend time at home watch the 2100 hours news or dinner with family.

Typically, this one treasure quality of life over earnings. Thus we are talking about $2000-$2500 per month after minus off all rental and other expenses.

Note on Taxi availability standard from LTA.

1. 250 km total mileage per day.
2. On the road for hired during 0600-1100 and 1700-2359 for the peak period.

Because OMO drivers has the car for their disposal, they can decide when to stop, when to start their shift or run their own errand. Much much more freedom then a 2 x 12 hours shift driver.  The only catch is to cover the extra $66 dollar he would otherwise collect from the relief driver.

Taxi Tales : 4 Oct 2014 - 6 Oct 2014

Midnight Rendezvous

12.30 am. Train and bus services are running their last service lap. I was waiting at the Woodlands MRT Taxi stand for a fare. A girl not more than 20 years old walks towards me follows by an older man in his 30s walking about 5 steps behind.

I ask her where she wants to go after she boarded the Taxi, she blushed, replying in a shy voice, " ask him". The man asked me after he get on the Taxi, "Uncle, bring us to the nearest hotel".

"You know here is Woodlands? residential area? There are no hotels near by." I replied.

"Ah, there must be hotel nearby, right?" He ask in an urgent voice.

"OK, I will bring you to the nearest hotel I know, a 3 start hotel in Balestier", after which I started driving to Quality hotel Marlow at Balestier Road.

During the whole trip, the guy holds the girl tightly in his arms, touching her neck, kissing and talking quietly at the back.

After I drop them down for a $26 fare. Questions were spinning in my head. How do they end up in Woodlands MRT station looking for a hotel to stay in the middle of the night?


Auntie that walks with a shuffle

7 pm, Swisshotel the Stamford Taxi stand. An Indian man assisting a lady in her 60s, helping by the bell boy shuffling towards my Taxi. I opened the door for her to board.

The bell boy asked me, do you go to Pasir Ris for her. I said, "sure do" ( this is because many Taxi drivers like to stay in or nearby CBD area for the extra $3 they could earn for every trip).

Along the way, she thanked me then starting to rank out her bad experience with Taxi drivers. One that refuse to pick her up, even belittle her shuffling walking style. He asked her to stay at home so as not to inconvenient others. One that asked her whether she can pay for her Taxi fare, that makes her fuming.

What interest me is, she is actually working in the hotel, occasionally she will take taxi when her leg is extremely painful for her to walk. Usually she will take bus then MRT to arrive at her work place.

What moved me is Swisshotel employs her for $1800 for job in the cleaning/ kitchen department. She appreciates the hotel takes care of her welfare. Not many employees does that nowadays.

I gave her a discount at the end of the journey, instead she give me a tip. She has so much difficulty getting off the taxi or going up steps, I literally have to carry her to the lift door.

She is staying alone after her son and daughter moved out after their marriage.


Silent gas out

Picked up a Japanese business man in suit from Hilton Hotel, going to Swisshotel. I was driving along Orchard road to his destination when I get a whiff of shit.  Another minute another few whiff, ya, he let out gas in the Taxi.

Trying my best not to do anything drastic, but I could not take it any more when the air gets heavier.

Took a look at him, he close he eyes and enjoying it :)

I open the Taxi windows on the driver side, he kept quiet for the whole journey not moving or complaining.

TAXI runs over man lying in the middle of the road

Talking about occupational hazard. It applies to train operator on MRT trains, bus drivers and Taxi drivers.  What will happened to you when a person intends to use your vehicle for attempting suicide?

MRT train operator will get off clean in the eyes of the law because there are no way for the train to stops in time even he sees the person jumping onto the track.

For bus drivers and Taxi drivers, it all depends on what is the speed you were travelling, visibility on the road and whether you can react in time.

In this case, it is up to the investigator or traffic police to decide whether it is an negligent act.

Punching Cabby

It is an old news happened in April 2014. It just highlighted some of the hazards a cabby have to endure working in this trade.

When you see a lone man standing on the street after midnight. You have to make a quick decision on the spot, do I pick him up? Can he afford to pay? Is he drunk? Will he soil your vehicle by vomiting? Especially a drunk buff man.

LTA says you have have to pick any passenger up if you do not have the busy sign up, Will LTA. protects you or come to your rescue when he rough you up? Well the police will. Will LTA helps you to collect the fare if he runs away?

I picked up a "white man" a Caucasian over the weekend at Orchard road after mid-night. He wants to go to the Traders hotel. He is so drunk he falls asleep the moment he steps in. I wander how he stands up beside the road flagging. During the short journey, he keeps on gagging in his sleep, so afraid he might throw up along the way.

Upon arriving at the hotel, he steps out of the Taxi, said a thank you under his breath then walks into the hotel Lobby. Should I chase after him for the miserable $7 fare? So who is going to pay for his fare? I drove off quietly into the night with this thought.

Singapore's population make up

In a city state like Singapore where 40% of the population is non-resident. Meaning they will be going back to their country one day. It is mind boggling when I thinking of the day when all of them disappear together with all the permanent resident.

1. Streets, shopping mall will be empty of half the people. 
2. You will have a place to sit on the morning train going to work. 
3. Offices and workplace, company will be shut down because of not sufficient workers. 
4. Home owners not able to rent out their units.
5. Taxi drivers we will be poorer off because about half of my clients are make up of foreigners.

Is there a perfect solution to this? I do not think so, we all just have to managed it, managed people's expectations. We can move out of Singapore to work in another country, follow their example.

credit cards payment for TAXI ride (today's news)

This is a case of capitalism greed of the taxi companies. No competition, no improvement.

If the case is true of running a NETS payment / credit card payment terminals are so high a 10% surcharge has to be paid by the consumer. Why Uber and Easy Taxi is able to do it? Another way of looking at this, is the business model of paying by terminals rather than smart phone outdated?

Driving Taxi on 13 Sept 2014

I started off around 1530 hours. Took a family to 211 Bedok road temple for the parent's death anniversary. The two teenage daughter and son is with them. They looks to me a like a happy family going out for a picnic.  They dot empathize with Taxi driver's long hours on the road after they asked me the hours I need to drive for a living. They have moved to Woodlands about 14 years ago. That is the way to start the day, :)

Went on to the airport terminal 2, have a quick coffee and toast, pick and go. This person going to Woodlands. It is after 5 pm, so the airport surcharge is plus $5 fare.The person is a FT working for Vodafone, coming back from a conference in Philippine.

Woodlands MRT pick up 3 India FT, going to Jalan Kayu to send their friend off going back to India. They are friendly, and asking about difference in fare price amount Taxis. In the end I found out he had the luck of boarding one of this Chrysler Black Taxi, the fare difference is $12 comparing to a normal Taxi.

Jalan Kayu pick up another Philippine FT girl going to Mohd Sultan road. She dress to kill with a perfume that lingers on in the Taxi long after.

Long Queue at Clark Quay Taxi rank (all green lanterns). Went to Queue at Parkmall taxi stand, waited for 5 minutes where a Malay Family board the Taxi after dinner at the Mongolian BBQ Restaurant. They are going to Woodlands street 13 @ marsiling.

After that is a blurrr...... Woodlands to Tampines, Tampines to Bedok, Bedok to Tampines etc. I am really not familiar with that area. In the future, need to read up the map to get myself familiar with that area. Luckily those passengers are understanding.

In the end, I go up to TPE, arriving at airport T2 to try my luck. Good, pick and go. Person no luggage, He is going to Geylang Lorong 18. Not sure why, but most of my passenger, 7 out of 10 will be going to Lorong 18.

Along Geylang towards city, pickup another FT philippine girl, going to Luck Plaza. Then from Lucky Plaza Taxi rank to Eunos Crescent. Had my dinner at Eunos MRT.

Along Eunos pick up a friendly old lady going to Joo Chiat Place. She thank me and very surprise I can give her a big grin smile when she board the taxi. She flatter me by saying I must have a sunny personality, my wife must be luck to have me.

After which I do not remember the rest of the trips except the last trip after midnight. Took a gentleman home from Centre Point to Anderson road off Thomson road. He had a bad night out because of his girl friend. :)

Total collection is about $270. After rental $60 and petrol $37. Take home $173. Not bad for 12 hours of work. Note, only good takings on Saturday.

Rumors of Taxi fare hike 2014 September

After reading the above article from MyPaper. I would said, it is about time for a fare changes. Almost every worker is getting bonus, salary increment yearly, why not taxi drivers? 

When will the market force change the fare structure? When there are lots of Taxis sitting in the bay of those taxi industry operators without sufficient hirer.

I like the part, "who complains when off peak there are no passengers?" This is especially true if the industry is going to increase the number of Taxi on the road again.  

Taxi industry still cannot match the demand of peak hours as they all originate from particular area (eg. CBD). 

My suggestions:

1. Do Away with ERP charges for Taxi, it will eliminate the barrier for Taxi moving into C.B.D. without a passenger.
2. Drastically increase the CBD peak hour surcharge to $6-$10. Taxi will all be rushing into the CBD to pick up customer. This will ensure only those whole really needs a Taxi will use one during peak hours. Come to think of it, is this not the principle of ERP? If you want to use transport over congested area during peak hours, you pay with your arm and leg. :-)
3. Mobile Apps /MDT for Taxi drivers to inform them where are the passengers during peak and off peak period. Example, number of passenger queuing in  certain taxi stand or MRT stations.

15 hours on the road

 What do you need to be on the road driving taxi 15 hours? What will you gain in the end?

1. You need to have a Taxi at your disposal. Sign up as a driver at one of the 4 Taxi company is a start.
2. You need cash float for changes from passengers (see pic).
3. You need a vocational driver License.
4. You need sufficient sleep (or you can catch up on your sleep in-between journeys).
5. You need a cash card to pay for ERPs.
6. You need a bottle of water, red bull and some sweets to suck on when bored.
7. You need a Fuel discount card. 20% for diesel, 16% for petrol.
8. You need a street directory or GPS.

What do you gain at the end of the 15 hours'of driving? (see below picture)

1. A good night of sleep because you will be so tired, you fall asleep the moment your head touch the pillow.
2. $450 cash in total collection. Minus rental and fuel. Income is about $300.
3. Satisfaction for a job well done. You bring bread home for the family.

If you can do this for 30 days straight, potentially you could earned $300 x 30 = $9000. But, sadly, it is not possible for me, I will need to sleep through the next day to recover from the ordeal.

So my income is around $2500 -$3000 for 30 days of driving. (6 Sept 2014)

Different Types of Taxi drivers

The classifications below are my 2 cents of worth of generlising people for the sake of entertaining my readers. I apologies if they have offended anyone.


The road Sweeper cum rubbish truck

Usually they are the older generation who drive a crown or yellow top Taxi. They will stick to the hour as a shift Taxi driver who knows where are the customers on the road. They do not mind picking up customer with smelly fishy bags from wet markets. Or anyone going anywhere, due to their limited of English or being the older generation. Usually they will not visit the CBD or Hotels in Orchard where AngMos are abundant.


The Interviewer

There are times when passenger going to Tuas/ Jurong Island / CCK will ask me to wind down the windows rather than jumping on the taxi, asking whether I will bring them to those places. What the hack, I will ask them to jump on.

"Do onto others what you want them to do unto you" my motto

These are the passengers that has been rejected by "The interviewer" Taxi drivers. Normally they will only want to go to the CBD/airport in the evening. Without regards or fairness to the next taxi driver behind them in the queue, they will pick their passenger then leave the crumps to the one behind.

I have no respect for such Taxi drivers.


Airport players

They will starts off the shift from the airport.  Even the passenger ends the trip in the west side Jurong. They will drive all the way to the airport to start again.

It is easier to find a fare in the airport, down side is the traffic jams on PIE back to the airport (staring point) and certain periods (2300-0100) hours midnight, long queue at the airport. Plus you need to know when the planes are landing and which terminals.

Another danger is customer going to the east side only (Simei, Pasir Ris or tampaines). What do you do?


C.B.D. players

Due to the fact after 5 pm CBD charges of $3 are applicable within the CBD area. These are a different breed of interviewer. They only want to take passenger who ends their trip within the CBD. One driver have boasted he can make 10 trips all within the CBD on night.

You will like them if you are going from Marina to China town, similarly Robinson road to Orchard road etc. You will be able to jump the taxi rank queue.


Mid Night Drivers

Generally they starts after 9 pm in the evening till next morning. They take business from Clark Quay area, Geylang, airport or in another word, all the night spots. Due to the shift working hour constraint, generally they paid a lesser rent between 30-50 dollars.

They will pick up passenger from CBD/airport to their heartland town. Then speed all the way back to the city for another fare.


Talkative drivers

The moment you steps into the taxi, they started talking, complaining about everything in life. Because of talking, they lost concentration on the road. Generally you can find them driving on the 2 lane on the highway. The have animated hand movement to enforce they point when chatting with passengers.

The opposite of this are those driver who will not even acknowledge your request of destination. They will just drive. Most of the time they are the seasoned drivers.

The Taxi I am driving on the weekend. It is a money making machine. :)

Driving Taxi full time again?

I am seriously considering going back to Taxi driving as a full time hirer or relief.

No one owes me a living, you reap what you have sowed. That has been my motto for my working life. When the going is tough, meaning long hours and tough job. It is OK as long as your boss understand and appreciates your effort and sacrifice. 

Driving Taxi full time OMO

Even I have experience of doing 6 months of O.M.O. and 6 months with relief drivers. There is a lot of consideration going on in my mind.

Considerations

1. First and foremost is my HDB housing loan, it is $630 dollars every month until age 70. Working as a self employed. One would have to top up his CPF using cash.
2. Second is household expenses. Must be able to earn enough to service insurance, electricity, water bill, food on the table. Lucky my wife is working as a childcare teacher. That helps a lot.
3. Ability to have dinner out with family and holiday once a year.
4. Family transportation, having a car to buy groceries and send children to school.

Answers

1. I will have to top up CPF account with cash until I reached 55. When at 55, the OA (ordinary account) and SA (special account) will merged into a RA (Retirement account) account. I will have enough to pay up the house fully. Also one of my insurance will matured when I reach 55.
2. A bit tight, have to tighten the belt and watch out for expense and purchase of major items. Sofa, washing machines and fridges all that will have to using savings if they breaks.
3. Dinner out once a month at coffee shop and holiday to Malaysia. :)
4. Well, will have to sell off the family car. Using Taxi as personal transport is a last resort, because taxi is suppose to be a money making machine every hour in your hand. Your opportunity cost of using TAXI as a personal transport is you blow off $25 of average income every hour.

note:   average taxi driver income working 26-30 days is around $2.5k to $3k.

Welcome to Sembawang Town - from a Taxi Uncle

Today I helped a friend to cover some of her taxi rentals as she was sick for the whole day. I started off late around 7.45pm because I got to go home to pick up my TDVL. The plan is to end driving before 12 midnight.

I pick up my last customer at Woodlands MRT Taxi stand just before 10pm. Husband, wife and a young daughter.

The husband smiles at me and say "Uncle,"Admiralty Link.".  I paused for a while, " there is an Admiralty MRT in Woodlands, no admiralty link." , I said. "You are going to Sembawang Town?" when it dawns on me where he wants to go. "Yes, near where the God of wealth temple is located", he replied.

The family has just moved in about one week ago, they bought a 12 years old HDB unit from the resale market.

On the way we started off the best conversation for the whole night. About good food joint around Sembawang /Woodlands area.

The food joint List

1.   White mee hoon shop opposite sembawang Shopping center.
2.   Chong Pang hawker food center.
3.   Turtle soup shop beside opposite Sembawang Shopping center.
4.   Coffee shop for chilli crab along Sembawang road just before turning into Sembawang Park.
5.   The Thail Food restaurant beside KFC at Chong Pang.

This night I let him off the Taxi with a smile on my face. Talking and thinking about food always bring back fond memories I had with families and friends.

Then I cruise around from 10 pm till 11pm. Long queue at Woodlands MRT taxi stand, more then 10 taxis waiting in the queue.

No customer at all until I call it a night around 11pm. Should have gone to the zoo at around 10 pm. Most of the time I will be able to pick up a customer going to CBD hotel. Then another fare out of the town CBD. But not tonight, I made a major trip planning mistake.

All in for 3 hours of work. I pocketed $30 and pay $30 for the hirer for the use of Taxi plus fuel.

The first Taxi I drove with Premier Taxi. 

Happy Couple on my taxi

Who am I to point my finger to my boss. When the crowd ask Jesus what to do with the prostitute brought in front of him. Jesus said,"who is without sin throw the first stone". Everyone walks away after some soul searching.

Anyway, today's story is about a pair of happy couple

It is a hot Saturday, have been driving for 10 hours straight except toilet break. Time is around 9.30 pm at night, picked them up along Yishun Avenue 7 road side. The whole family is wearing traditional Malay dress, first came in the husband, wife and a little daughter around 4 years old sitting in the front.

They asked to go to Woodlands block 681. I am thinking to myself, ok, another $10 to pay for my petrol on the way home.

They started talking in the back. The voice is full of joy and happiness. The Malay man is trying to learn hokkien counting 1 to 10. When the wife starts to correct his accent, then I realise it is a Malay chinese couple. I look at the little girl, it has all the Chinese girl feature in a Malay costume. She smiles back at me with a happy look.

I did not catch the conversation at the back, just laughter of them enjoying each other's company. Still learning and adapting to each other's culture.

What makes such a deep impression on me is their respect for each other's background, religion and language. It is clear they make a extra effort to please and adapt. Being the chinese woman in Malay dress and Malay man learning Mandarin and Hokkien.

I let them off the Taxi with a smile on my face. This is what makes my day driving a taxi in Singapore.

Photo of me and wife 2010 at lower pierce reservoir.

Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia Trip

On 9 -11 August 2014. Me being Lazy and wife's constant request to visit her friend. We make a trip to Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.

It is a self drive, homestay holiday. Petrol cost Ringgit 150 per way and room another 100 ringgit per night. We travel via Woodlands, Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Pekan then Kuantan. Road signs are clear and readily available for reference.

In total it is around 400km one way non-stop about 5 hours on Malaysia road number 3.

Below are photos of Pandan waterfall Kuantan we visited on the second day.

It is easy to reach by using Garmin GPS, but need to pay entrance fee of 5 ringgit per person. It has stores selling drinks, ice-cream and toilets. Water from the waterfall is refreshing and we took a dip into it, I am happy to enjoy the endless running water beating down on my shoulder.

Below are photos of the Kuantan Beach. It gives you  a lazy quiet feel, not many people on a Sunday afternoon. It gives you a cozy feeling while sipping a Mac coffee in a McCafe. Blue sky with horizon as far as your eye can see. Car Park are ample and secure, you can take a long stroll on the beach, enjoy the sea breeze, eat a big Mac or eat at any of those boutique restaurant along the shore line.

Todayonline commentary on new taxi drivers

The Commentary is Written  BY  JASON TAN   jasontancc@mediacorp.com.sg   PUBLISHED: 4:03 AM, AUGUST 6, 2014

The link is here. Basically he lamented that new Taxi drivers of Singapore does not know the way or the building where he is going. You can read the full article below. 

http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/new-cabbies-need-more-rigorous-training?singlepage=true

Oh well, after being a Taxi driver after 6 months, I know how to get to mediacorps from Woodlands, City, Jurong and airport. All I need is to get on to PIE then get off Thomas road exit. But friend, during my first month as a driver, I have no clue.

As a Taxi driver, I get my fair share of FT screaming at me for not knowing how to get to Farrer drive etc. There was my first week of driving and she was in a hurry. We all need time to learn. After being on the road for 2 years, a taxi driver will be able to get you to most places quickly.

Why I put 2 year? When I used to train IT engineers for an MNC. That is the amount of time a junior engineer who just joined us, fresh from school, starting to learn the rope about hardware, software, networking and security design in a real world. Working in the real world cannot compare to any of the class room examinations. 2 years is about the time I have confidence to leave him alone to a site for level 1 and level 2 support.

What I am trying to say is, no amount of class room training will prepare you for the real world job. Same applies for Taxi drivers.

You can read an extract of his Article here below.

Also from those heart warming comments by fellow Singaporean. (extracts are below as well). There is still hope for Singapore being a gracious society.

I might be wrong. But this might be a typical classroom case of young scholars living in a ivory tower, being a scholar he knows everything and has solution for every problem in the world.

An Extract of his commentary

Kukup Malaysia Resort Trip

Did not drive Taxi on the 27/28 July 2014 Hari Raya Pusa Holiday. So Sorry to Joe Fong the Hirer.

Went up to Malaysai Kukup Island for a 2 days one night family retreat. For S$100 you will get transport from Singapore to Kukup Mangrove resort, 3 meals and lodging in the resort's clean air-conditioned room.

We stayed in the Mangrove resort. The whole Kukup Island is a National Park.

The moment I step off the tour bus, you get the feeling you have traveled back in time 20 years. The rustic quiet village and resort entrance is there beckoning you on.  We walk on a long cement path way above the muddy sea water to reach the resort. Along the way, we saw many rubbish in the mud and also mud skippers eating in the mud. Do you know why they are so fat?

On both side of the walk way, you can see modern house on cement stilt and air-coniditioner. You can also see old, run down house the is falling apart. The feeling of an abandon history, it is just waiting to tell you its younger days of glory if you ask.

There are provision shops along the walkway and hawkers selling salted fish and all kinds of preserved seafood. I have a feeling it is almost like the 70s again.

Panorama view from a Kelong

Scenic view from the Kelong. 

The view from the resort jetty. The water current flow is very strong as the resorts and Kelong are place between the mainland Malaysia and Kukup island.

From WikiPedia.  Kelong

Kelong (sometimes spelt Kellong) is a Malay word describing a form of offshore platform built predominantly with wood, which can be found in waters off Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Only a handful remain around Singapore due to rapid urbanisation.

Kelongs are built by fishermen primarily for fishing purposes, although larger structures can also function as dwellings for them and their families. They are built without the need for nails, using rattan to bind tree trunks and wooden planks together. Anchored into the sea bed using wooden piles of about 20 metres in length and driven about six metres into the sea, they are usually sited in shallow water, although some can be found in deeper waters. Some Kelongs are less isolated and are connected to land via a wooden gangway. Other variants of Kelongs can be mobile, or may involve a large groups of Kelongs joined together into a massive offshore community.

Me and Wife (peck Har)

At night we played fireworks all night. The only bad thing is some holiday goer do not know when to stop. The continue beyond 12.30am.  But I enjoy looking at the children's laugh and giggles when they lights up the fireworks then jumps away.

Google map view of Kukup location.

The old town feeling.

The walkway to the chalet

 Another view of the walkway

 My Brother's family

The mangrove chalet viewing from the jetty

 Dinner provided by the chalet

Fireworks at night

TIPS for a Taxi Driver

It is about nine o'clock at night. It is a hot saturday evening in Singapore. Sending a customer to cruise center at Harbour Front. After the old couple alights, a young man pulling along a  luggage approaches me.

"Üncle, can bring me to Orchard Road? I need to go 2 places?" He asked.

"OK" I waved him in after I check no security guards around.

He start telling me he is in a hurry. He needs to delivery item to 2 places, one in Jalan Bukit Merah and one in Orchard Tower. "Can you wait for me", he asked.

"I will keep the fare meter running." I answer beneath my breath. "Also you will need to pay up to the current fare". I am afraid he might be another fare cheat.

"Uncle, wait here, is that enough", he handed me 2 piece of $10 note. I nod.

And wait goes on for 30 minutes at Orchard Tower Taxi stand. Very lucky no enforcement officer tonight.

After he jump back into the cab, it was around 10.15pm. "Thank you Uncle for waiting. It is so difficult to catch a cab at this hour. I need to hurry back to cruise center to catch the last ferry back to Batam"

"How can I thank you? You help me so much." Thinking of all those time wasted waiting for him. I mutter you can give me tips if you appreciate my service.

We reach Harbour Front cruise center at 10.45 for him to jump on the last ferry. He gave me additional $30 on top of the fare. Then he ran into the ferry terminal.

It is one of those trips I keep on thinking what is in his luggage? What he is delivering? He must be making a decent profit to pay me that much.

Singapore Taxi Driver average Income calaulations

The Sources are from LTA publications on their web site. We all know statistic only tells one side of the story, be it accurate or not, depending on the context you are applying. Let me show you some interesting numbers.

There are 28,210 Taxi registered in Singapore. Daily ridership is 967,000 trips. That is averagely 34.2 trip per taxi. Per trip is about 9.7 km.

Let do some calculation based on above figure to come out an average income for Taxi drivers.

Assumptions:

Meter starts at $3.2. 

Every 400 m travelled is 22 cents.

Each day makes 3 x $3 surcharge pick up fare (CBD in the evening or airport)

Each Taxi makes 34.2 trip per day.

Each pick up tavels 9.7 km.

40% of the trip attracts 25% peak hour charges

Taxi Rental is $115 per day. (sedan from $100- $133)

Daily km travelled = 34.2 trip x 9.7km = 331km

Diesel/Petrol = 10km/L diesel or Petrol = 33L diesel/petrol per day

Retail Diesel =$1.2 /L Petrol = $2.2/L

Calculations:

Per off peak Trip is $3.2 + (9700/400)x0.22 =$8.53 

Per Peak hour Trip is  $3.2 + (9700/400)x0.22 x 1.25 = $10.66

Daily collections for off peak trip (20.52) per day =  $8.5 x 20.52 = 174.42

Daily collections for peak hour trip (13.68) per day =  $8.5 x 13.68 x 1.25 = 145.35

Airport +city surcharge = $9.

Total Daily collection = $328.77

Cost - Daily Rental =$120

Cost - Daily Diesel =$1.2 x 30L = $36

Average Take home = $328.77 - 115 -$36 = $177

Now the bomb shell = 80% of the Taxi is operated by 2 driver in 12 shifts.

That  is S$177 / 2 drivers = $88.5

Notes:

Rental can be as low as $69 for PRIME Honda Fit (OMO only) or $175 for a Mercedes Benz.

Starting meter fare can be from $3.2 (standard sedan taxi) to $5 (SMRT Chrysler)

In theory OMO (one man operation) working 15 hours can collect $177 or more, 12 hours shift is set to collect $88 per shift. 

Also I have not taken into consideration of 50% surcharges after midnight or call booking charges. That would add $10 to $30 depending on the type and the number of bookings.

There are slightly more than 28000 Taxi registered in Singapore. During evening Peak hour, around 80% of Taxi are on the road. That is about 22400 taxi. (In theory only)

If Singapore is a fine city (tongue in cheek), drivers should be fined for not driving during those hour. But the most effective way is to provide incentive for drivers to meet the 250km /day or driving during peak hours. After all, they are driving for themselves for a profit.

Let us look at the trend between Lucky Plaza and ION. Far East Plaza comparing to Lucky Plaza. One is outside CBD and one is inside CBD. What does it tell you about the 2 times longer waiting time for TAXI?  The Driver will go where they can make a higher profit, after all, they are business man too.

The difference in collection is $3, for an average collection of $10 per trip. It is a 30% increase.

Source: Screen Captured from SG LTA website (2014 July)

Why do I drive Taxi

Someone once said. The only certainty in life is uncertainty.

Today you might be working in a good company with a good prospect. You feel safe and secure.  One day, you will be ask to leave, or you want to leave for a change. Whatever the reason, you need to find a job quick that is able to put food on the table.

Ability to drive a Taxi fits this description. As long as you are willing to work hard, it will provide you with a decent pay. Same as other job, the better you are at your job, with a bit of luck, you will receive rewards more than your peers (other Taxi drivers).

LIKES

1. You do not have to look at your boss's long face or un-predictable mood everyday. If you do not like the customer, you might never see them again for the rest of your life after 20-45 minutes.
2. You will get to visit places you might never have a chance to visit in Singapore.  When is the last time anyone here visited Mount Faber? Or Tuas South sea side looking back at the mainland?
3. You can choose when to start work or when do you stop working. There are no penalty to pay when you are late for work. 
4. You work smart, you will be pay for every every hour of work. Not a lot, about $10 per hour. You want more, work longer.
5. You can try all kinds of food all over the island. You eat where ever you may be when you are hungry. For me, whether the parking is free is not important, the taste of the dishes has the highest priority.

DISLIKES

What I do not like about being a Taxi Driver. Non-matter what happened, you have to pay rent. Even when you are so sick you cannot even walk. ---- Comparing to an employee, you can call in sick, have a day off, you will still get paid.

1. No vacation leave for you, my dear. You have to pay rent.
2. No Employer CPF for you, my dear. You get what you earned, what you get is what you put into your CPF account.
3. Passenger will look down on you. You will always been suspicious of cheating on their fare.
4. Passenger might be vomiting in your Taxi, you are expected to clean it up. The next passenger will be complaining about your smelly cab.
5. Fare cheats, they take it as a game or achievement that they do not have to pay the fare. Wish Taxi companies will install Cameras that will make their photos available to the Police.

Well, the above also applies when I run a retail shop in a shopping center. Same for having vacation leave, sick or contributing to CPF. As a boss, you are on your own.

Taxi driving on 5 July 2014

It is a cloudy day, I picked up the taxi from Joe (Hirer) at around 3.30pm. Sent her back to her Block, received a crash course on the Prius Taxi operation and Meter operations. And off I go around 4pm.

1.   Woodlands circle, picked up 2 gentleman going to RWS. One PRC and one local. They were happy to go on a day out at the casino. We go by SLE-CTE-bukit merah exit. Saw an accident on CTE.

2.   RWS to Raffles hotel. A Japaneses couple on honey moon here. I like those submissive Japanese wife, lucky him.

3.   Raffles hotel to Mandarin Orchard. Tourist from PRC China. We chat about the Hybrid Prius. They are rich, carry bags of GUCCI and other expensive branded items from shopping at Raffles Hotel Arcade.

4.   Mandarin Orchard to T2 changi. A quiet gentleman.

5.   T2 departure to Mount Faber road. It is around 6pm, time to meet wife at woodlands for dinner and attend church Cell group.

6.   On the way, send a malay family to Tiong Bahru Plaza before going on CTE at Outram. They complains shortage of taxi. It is peak hour on Saturday. It is now 6.30pm.

Break

Meet wife at Woodlands 11 around 7.15pm and attend church cell group (dead tired, I need coffee).

Continue my journey of discovery

Starts off again at 9.30pm.

7.   Pick up a drunk disable person from Admiralty MRT going to Yishun ring road.
Yishun Ring round to Anchorvale. I am so confused by the Yishun Ring road, make a wrong turn, comes back to center rather then Yishun Ave 1. Gave here a discount of $3. She carried 2 young boys that is so tired that almost fall asleep on the taxi. But with 3 bags and 2 toddlers, I help her to keep them awake.

8.     Anchorvale off to Orchard Road (empty). Center point to Clarke Quay.

9.     Clarke Quay to Geylang Lor 28

10.   Geylang pick up 3 PRC from Lorong 23 to Lorong 9 for dinner.

11.   Geylang couple to Macpherson Estate to Bedok Reservoir road (another area I am very confused).

12.   Bedok Reservoir Road to Boat Quay (it is already 1130). Think this guy is going to watch world cup the whole night. I am so confused in the area (bedok resevoir road) missed the turn to PIE, have to make a U-turn to PIE ram- Paya Lebar, Guillemar road, Nicoll highway, Stamford road - boat quay. Gave him a discount of $2 for the wrong turn.

13.   Back to Orchard empty taxi again. 2 gentleman again going to Clark Quay.

14.   Clark Quay to Claymore hill.

Turned into Orchard Tower, long queue of Taxi at the Taxi Stand but no patrons. Hummmm time to go home.

Enter Woodlands on the top display, start driving off home to Stevens Road, Upper Thomson road, Sembawang road. Hoping to catch a fare along the way.

14.   Pick up a pair of young lover along Upper Thomson road to Teachers estate (total $7.70 fare). That helps to pay for the petrol home.

Top up Petrol at Shell station. Return Taxi at hirer's car park.
2am. Toke a slow walk from Woodlands circle back to Republic Poly. A sweating walk but I needed the exercise. Reached home 2.30am, both wife and son sleeping.

Did a brief calculation. 

Total Collection = $192 - $5 (discount) +$2 tips =$189.
Petrol = $ 19.
Rental = $60.
Take home = 189-19-60 = $110

Put $50 in a Milo tin, the rest I spent on food with son and parent on Sunday at Chine Town Smith street.

The beginning

Life has its ups and downs.  Could not take the bullshit and unnecessary stressed at work. So I started driving Taxi for a living from March 2013- December 2013. Now (July 2014) I have a full time job plus driving Taxi on the weekend.

It took me one month from the application to LTA and health checks to the start of the lesson. To my surprise, the class of 40 is full (I did it at SMRT woodlands). It was a full time class of 2 weeks leading up to the test. The classes at Taxi Academy and Comfort is all full too.  I starts to wander why so many people is trying this career.

We are lucky to have Young Foo from STA (Singapore Taxi Association) as our instructor. He share many tips and story about Taxi driving in Singapore. The ups and downs of it, the unfairness in this in industry. Which I will list it down as objectively as possible in other blogs.

Follow this link to find out more about how to be a taxi driver.
http://www.taxi.org.sg/tdvl.html

Highlighs
Pre-requiste for becoming a Taxi Driver:

- Must be at least 30 years of age.
- Possess a valid class 3/3A driving licence.
- A Singapore Citizen.
- GCE'O' Level or 'N' Level pass in English (at least an D7 grade) / Level 3 or higher pass in English (WPL-CAT)
- Have at least a one year driving experience with a clean driving record.

As of 1 June 2012, TDVL holders will be allowed to extend their vocational licences up to 75 years old, subject to passing a special assessment annually.

Course Durations:

Choose from Full-time or Part-time courses:

Part-time Course:
20 days (5-6 days per week)
1 lesson per day (7.00pm - 10.00pm)

Full-time Course:
10 days (5-6 days per week)
2 lessons per day (10.00am - 1.00pm & 2.00pm - 5.00pm)

TDVL Course consist of 5 modules over a 60 hours session classroom training. You may choose to attend Full-time or Part-time courses.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Taxi Service Overview & Road Safety
Module 2: Taxi Rules & Regulations
Module 3: Locate Destination
Module 4: Plan Routes
Module 5: Deliver Quality Taxi Service

There will be tests at the end of the course on all modules using touch screen tablets and 3 practical tests at the end of module 5. Candidates have to pass all modules (1 to 5) to attain the TDVL Licence. Licence is issued within one month by the LTA.