I notice something, dont know if you have noted this as well?
Did you realise that there are many female drivers in the Kia Magentis than in other type of cabs?
A run through the logic side of my brain tells me the reason.
First, among all the cabs, the Kia is an auto, which equates to easier to drive.
Second, among all the auto cabs, the Kia, unlike the Sonata, is not as big and bulky which also equates to easier to manoveur.
Third, among all the 'compact' auto cab, the Kia is one of the easiest to get and rental isnt really that expensive (say as compared to the Merc). This equates to more earnings or less hours to work a day.
If you havent notice, keep a lookout for these lady powered cabs.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Variable cab fares?
I am back to the different type of cabs again and my desire for good cabs and detest for bad one.
I have an idea.
Why dont we have variable pricing for different kinds of cabs. For example, Cedric and Crown are old cabs, so the taxi companies can maybe start a bit lower than the $2.80 normal price, perhaps I would say $2.50. (Their rental is lower anyway)
Then we have the mainstream Sonata, Magentis and Wish which would charge the normal rate of $2.80 now.
And then we have the higher end Merc cabs / Chrysler / Skoda at $3.00 or $3.20.
This would be a fairer system where the people who just want a cab and not bothering about comfort (esp for short trips) to get a cheaper cabs while those who want some comfort to go for better one while those who want luxury to pay even more.
Now, the problem is that the mainstream cabs are now crown which means that people will automatically for the impression that these cabs are the norms, which cannot work because it becomes a premium which then people would want to avoid.
Maybe we can work something around this?
I have an idea.
Why dont we have variable pricing for different kinds of cabs. For example, Cedric and Crown are old cabs, so the taxi companies can maybe start a bit lower than the $2.80 normal price, perhaps I would say $2.50. (Their rental is lower anyway)
Then we have the mainstream Sonata, Magentis and Wish which would charge the normal rate of $2.80 now.
And then we have the higher end Merc cabs / Chrysler / Skoda at $3.00 or $3.20.
This would be a fairer system where the people who just want a cab and not bothering about comfort (esp for short trips) to get a cheaper cabs while those who want some comfort to go for better one while those who want luxury to pay even more.
Now, the problem is that the mainstream cabs are now crown which means that people will automatically for the impression that these cabs are the norms, which cannot work because it becomes a premium which then people would want to avoid.
Maybe we can work something around this?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Seriously, will you flag down a 300C?
Someone posted this on a forum (which I shall not say which one)
I personally have not taken the Chrysler 300C cab before and I am concerned with the comments that someone who has taken the cab before made.
"super smooth...all noise insulated...very spacious...surpassing the Merc E-class"
Whoa, is it that good??? I know that I criticised the 300C in my previous but if the above comments i true, then I think I would not mind spending some money to experience it, just for once.
Will you???
Last week, i booked two chrysler 300C cabs to take some friends and me from Bukit Timah to Hilton, S$24 inclusive of booking and peak hour surcharge
The ride is super smooth, all the road noise and engine noise have been insulated. It is also very spacious, definitely surpassing the Mercedes E class taxis in terms of comfort and luxury.
However, the price also surpasses that of the e class......
I personally have not taken the Chrysler 300C cab before and I am concerned with the comments that someone who has taken the cab before made.
"super smooth...all noise insulated...very spacious...surpassing the Merc E-class"
Whoa, is it that good??? I know that I criticised the 300C in my previous but if the above comments i true, then I think I would not mind spending some money to experience it, just for once.
Will you???
Saturday, October 25, 2008
News: CCTV at taxi stands
Stuck in a taxi queue that is hardly moving?
Relief may come soon from a system of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at taxi stands feeding "live" images back to cab despatch centres, which can direct cabbies to where fares are waiting.
Home-grown information technology company Stratech Systems is devising such a system in response to a call by the Media Development Authority (MDA) for industries to design innovative business solutions.
It is distributing $12 million for 15 such innovations, among which is Stratech's "Dynamic Vehicle Allocation System". Stratech executive chairman David Chew said the system, which he claimed will be a world first, will be installed at 50 taxi stands, mostly in the Central Business District, for a start. It should be ready for trial in nine months. He said of the current problem: "Taxis may be waiting at a vacant stand while commuters queue in vain elsewhere."
More than just feeding images of taxi queues back to taxi operators, he said, Stratech's system would be smart enough to adjust to changes in numbers of waiting commuters and cabs arriving.
"Today's taxi despatch systems are dumb," said the Stratech chief, who has begun talking to the taxi operators.
Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for ComfortDelGro Corp, Singapore's largest cab company, said: "We believe a taxi queue monitoring system will help our drivers pinpoint areas where there is higher demand and have in fact been exploring such a system ourselves."
She added ComfortDelGro was "encouraged" by the MDA's support of such an initiative and would seek to work with it on its development.
SMRT Taxis' senior manager of customer relations Eunice Lui said initiatives that will enhance taxi services for customers are welcome.
Industry observers, however, said they did not see anything compelling about the system. Property firm executive H.Y. Loh, a 51-year old regular cab commuter, is sceptical. She said the system would work in bad times, "when cabbies going to taxi stands are at least assured of business". But she is less sure it will work when good times return, because more people will be taking cabs then
Cab companies may also not back Stratech's system fully, since doing so will hit their call-booking revenue. After all, commuters in taxi queues often resort to phoning for a cab, said Ms Loh. But Mr Chew said that if Stratech's system works, "it will ensure a continuous flow of taxis".
The Straits Times home section - 23/10/2008.
---------
My Comments:
I think this could work. Too much taxi or no taxi is always about demand and supply. So if there is a way to increase push the supply to the demand, then it is likely to be a win win situation. So dont be surprised when you see someone waving at something at taxi stands, they are just telling the control centre that they are tell, so quick, get a cab to them ASAP!
Relief may come soon from a system of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at taxi stands feeding "live" images back to cab despatch centres, which can direct cabbies to where fares are waiting.
Home-grown information technology company Stratech Systems is devising such a system in response to a call by the Media Development Authority (MDA) for industries to design innovative business solutions.
It is distributing $12 million for 15 such innovations, among which is Stratech's "Dynamic Vehicle Allocation System". Stratech executive chairman David Chew said the system, which he claimed will be a world first, will be installed at 50 taxi stands, mostly in the Central Business District, for a start. It should be ready for trial in nine months. He said of the current problem: "Taxis may be waiting at a vacant stand while commuters queue in vain elsewhere."
More than just feeding images of taxi queues back to taxi operators, he said, Stratech's system would be smart enough to adjust to changes in numbers of waiting commuters and cabs arriving.
"Today's taxi despatch systems are dumb," said the Stratech chief, who has begun talking to the taxi operators.
Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for ComfortDelGro Corp, Singapore's largest cab company, said: "We believe a taxi queue monitoring system will help our drivers pinpoint areas where there is higher demand and have in fact been exploring such a system ourselves."
She added ComfortDelGro was "encouraged" by the MDA's support of such an initiative and would seek to work with it on its development.
SMRT Taxis' senior manager of customer relations Eunice Lui said initiatives that will enhance taxi services for customers are welcome.
Industry observers, however, said they did not see anything compelling about the system. Property firm executive H.Y. Loh, a 51-year old regular cab commuter, is sceptical. She said the system would work in bad times, "when cabbies going to taxi stands are at least assured of business". But she is less sure it will work when good times return, because more people will be taking cabs then
Cab companies may also not back Stratech's system fully, since doing so will hit their call-booking revenue. After all, commuters in taxi queues often resort to phoning for a cab, said Ms Loh. But Mr Chew said that if Stratech's system works, "it will ensure a continuous flow of taxis".
The Straits Times home section - 23/10/2008.
---------
My Comments:
I think this could work. Too much taxi or no taxi is always about demand and supply. So if there is a way to increase push the supply to the demand, then it is likely to be a win win situation. So dont be surprised when you see someone waving at something at taxi stands, they are just telling the control centre that they are tell, so quick, get a cab to them ASAP!
Monday, October 20, 2008
SMRT SPACE Taxi introduce Singapore first....
...wheelchair friendly taxi in Singapore.
Details can be found by following this link:
http://www.smrt.com.sg/Upload/20089221523767896.pdf
(It is at the bottom, just scoll down and you will be able to see it.)
Details can be found by following this link:
http://www.smrt.com.sg/Upload/20089221523767896.pdf
(It is at the bottom, just scoll down and you will be able to see it.)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Good Food
"They say one way to know where the good food are in Singapore is to ask the taxi drivers."
"The other way is to visit: Hungrycomehere"
Hungrycomehere for all the good food in Singapore.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
News: SMRT impose a $5 sucharge for taxi rides in F1 areas
SMRT to implement S$5 surcharge for taxi rides from areas in F1 race vicinity
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 20 September 2008 1739 hrs
SMRT taxis will be implementing a S$5 surcharge per trip during the F1 Grand Prix period - for pickups in 14 locations in the race vicinity.
These include Suntec City, hotels around the Marina area, Hitachi Tower, Centennial Tower, Peninsular Excelsior Hotel, Millenia Tower and Funan DigitaLife Mall.
The surcharge will be in effect from 10.30pm to midnight on September 26 and 27, and 9.30pm to midnight on September 28.
SMRT said the move is to meet the expected increase in demand for taxis after the races.
For those taking public transport, SMRT said 960 additional train trips will be introduced on both the North-South and East-West lines on race days.
Train services will also be extended till 1.30am on these days.
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 20 September 2008 1739 hrs
SMRT taxis will be implementing a S$5 surcharge per trip during the F1 Grand Prix period - for pickups in 14 locations in the race vicinity.
These include Suntec City, hotels around the Marina area, Hitachi Tower, Centennial Tower, Peninsular Excelsior Hotel, Millenia Tower and Funan DigitaLife Mall.
The surcharge will be in effect from 10.30pm to midnight on September 26 and 27, and 9.30pm to midnight on September 28.
SMRT said the move is to meet the expected increase in demand for taxis after the races.
For those taking public transport, SMRT said 960 additional train trips will be introduced on both the North-South and East-West lines on race days.
Train services will also be extended till 1.30am on these days.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Service Ambassadors driving the 300C
More on the SMRT Chrysler 300C Taxi
Quoting again from the ST article '...driven by "service ambassadors" instead of regular cabbies.'
I think it is dangerous for SMRT to use the word service ambassadors. For a premium flagdown and booking rate that cost as much as George Bush spent for the Iraq war, Singaporean especially will be inclined to think that they should be treated like a King when they engage this kind of service.
Perhaps the service ambassadors need to open the doors for the VIP...i mean passenger before boarding and when the passenger is alighting or to help the passengers unload the shopping bags from the boot, or so.
The fact is that is the cabbies, yes, no matter what, I would still call them cabbies, be willing to do that. If not, then there is no point charging a premium price for service.
Quoting again from the ST article '...driven by "service ambassadors" instead of regular cabbies.'
I think it is dangerous for SMRT to use the word service ambassadors. For a premium flagdown and booking rate that cost as much as George Bush spent for the Iraq war, Singaporean especially will be inclined to think that they should be treated like a King when they engage this kind of service.
Perhaps the service ambassadors need to open the doors for the VIP...i mean passenger before boarding and when the passenger is alighting or to help the passengers unload the shopping bags from the boot, or so.
The fact is that is the cabbies, yes, no matter what, I would still call them cabbies, be willing to do that. If not, then there is no point charging a premium price for service.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Why I don't want to take the 300C cab anymore?
While anticipating for the cab to be here is one thing, now I am not sure whether I want to flag down the Chrysler 300C cab, no thanks to SMRT.
(Refer to the newspaper article on the previous post)
A flagdown of $5.00 compared to a flagdown of $3.20 for a Merc LimoCab and $2.80 for normal cabs, this is just ridiculous.
Quoting the article:
'SMRT clearly wants to position the 300C - which many say resembles a Bentley - as a premium taxi....driven by "service ambassadors" instead of regular cabbies.'
Ya, I know that many says it resembles a Bentley, but as many also knows that it is not a Bentley, so why should I pay a Bentley premium for something that 'looked like but in reality is not a Bentley'
We all know that Mercedes makes one of the best suspension in the world, we all know that some of the best brands for mass produced cars like Merc, BMW and Audi all comes from Germany We also all know (if you don't, now you do) that a Chrsyler 300C Petrol variant cost less than a E200 Kompressor Petrol variant Mercedes Benz ($165k vs $174k)
(Prices from www.sgcarmart.com as on 27 Aug 08)
So for something that cost less, SMRT is charging more rental ($139 instead of $124 for Merc) to its drivers which in turns, because they want to attract drivers to drive this fleet of Limo cabs, passes the cost of the commuters. So, now you know who is profiting from this? I dont mind when one party is earning money from a deal, because that is business, but this like penalising commuters who wants to take the cab.
The next time you see people flagging down cabs, when the 300C comes along, they will not raise up their hands.
If SMRT is positioning this to appeal to companies, rather than commuters, then they could have charged more for booking fee instead of raising the flagdown rate. Because if a company wants the cab, they would not send someone to flag it down.
(By the way, the booking fee of $10 is $2 more than Mercedes Cab of $8 already).
If a $0.30 diesel or CNG surcharge on the starting fare make a difference, imagine how much difference can a $1.80 surcharge make?
(Refer to the newspaper article on the previous post)
A flagdown of $5.00 compared to a flagdown of $3.20 for a Merc LimoCab and $2.80 for normal cabs, this is just ridiculous.
Quoting the article:
'SMRT clearly wants to position the 300C - which many say resembles a Bentley - as a premium taxi....driven by "service ambassadors" instead of regular cabbies.'
Ya, I know that many says it resembles a Bentley, but as many also knows that it is not a Bentley, so why should I pay a Bentley premium for something that 'looked like but in reality is not a Bentley'
We all know that Mercedes makes one of the best suspension in the world, we all know that some of the best brands for mass produced cars like Merc, BMW and Audi all comes from Germany We also all know (if you don't, now you do) that a Chrsyler 300C Petrol variant cost less than a E200 Kompressor Petrol variant Mercedes Benz ($165k vs $174k)
(Prices from www.sgcarmart.com as on 27 Aug 08)
So for something that cost less, SMRT is charging more rental ($139 instead of $124 for Merc) to its drivers which in turns, because they want to attract drivers to drive this fleet of Limo cabs, passes the cost of the commuters. So, now you know who is profiting from this? I dont mind when one party is earning money from a deal, because that is business, but this like penalising commuters who wants to take the cab.
The next time you see people flagging down cabs, when the 300C comes along, they will not raise up their hands.
If SMRT is positioning this to appeal to companies, rather than commuters, then they could have charged more for booking fee instead of raising the flagdown rate. Because if a company wants the cab, they would not send someone to flag it down.
(By the way, the booking fee of $10 is $2 more than Mercedes Cab of $8 already).
If a $0.30 diesel or CNG surcharge on the starting fare make a difference, imagine how much difference can a $1.80 surcharge make?
Here comes Chrysler cabs
From Sept 1, SMRT will be rolling out the first of its Chrysler 300C taxis (below) .
With a flag-down rate of $5, itis the most extravagant taxi here, outstripping even the luxury Mercedes Benz E-class cabs' flag-down of $3.20 by over 50 per cent.
To book the 300C costs $10, with the advance booking charge set at $20.
SMRT clearly wants to position the 300C - which many says resembles a Bentley - as a premium taxi that is a cut above the rest, driven by "service ambassadors" instead of regular cabbies.
The 300C was produced by the now demerged DaimlerChrysler. it is based on an old Mercedes E-class platform.
SMRT Taxis vice-president, Mr Lo Chee Wen, said: "SMRT believes that our Chrysler 300C taxis would offer corporate visitors both locally and from abroad a new choice of travel.
Meanwhile SMRT said that it would start imposing a 30-cent fuel surcharge for its compressed-natural gas cabs from Sept 1.
With the move, 11-month-old Prime Taxiswill be the only cab operators - identifiable by its bronze coloured cabs - that is not levying a fuel surcharge.
Prime Managing director Neo Nam Heng said the company will take another poll among its drivers before deciding whether to follow the rest.
Christopher Tan
The Straits Times, 27 Aug 2008
Home, Pg B3, Middle Right.
With a flag-down rate of $5, itis the most extravagant taxi here, outstripping even the luxury Mercedes Benz E-class cabs' flag-down of $3.20 by over 50 per cent.
To book the 300C costs $10, with the advance booking charge set at $20.
SMRT clearly wants to position the 300C - which many says resembles a Bentley - as a premium taxi that is a cut above the rest, driven by "service ambassadors" instead of regular cabbies.
The 300C was produced by the now demerged DaimlerChrysler. it is based on an old Mercedes E-class platform.
SMRT Taxis vice-president, Mr Lo Chee Wen, said: "SMRT believes that our Chrysler 300C taxis would offer corporate visitors both locally and from abroad a new choice of travel.
Meanwhile SMRT said that it would start imposing a 30-cent fuel surcharge for its compressed-natural gas cabs from Sept 1.
With the move, 11-month-old Prime Taxiswill be the only cab operators - identifiable by its bronze coloured cabs - that is not levying a fuel surcharge.
Prime Managing director Neo Nam Heng said the company will take another poll among its drivers before deciding whether to follow the rest.
Christopher Tan
The Straits Times, 27 Aug 2008
Home, Pg B3, Middle Right.
COMMERCIAL BREAK !!!
Want to know where all the good hawkers and restaurant are hidden around the island of Singapore?
I have them all consolidated for you:
www.hungrycomehere.blogspot.com
Do remember to bookmark the page as you will not want to miss out any updates.
I have them all consolidated for you:
www.hungrycomehere.blogspot.com
Do remember to bookmark the page as you will not want to miss out any updates.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friends of Ikea?
Recently saw on the forums on someone asking what cab should one call if one has small cargo like a small cupboard from Ikea or something that a normal cab boot or rear seat cannot fit in.
Of course reply posts will be call the Vito or rent a van yourself.
Actually, there are more models of cabs than just the Vito that could do the job. If you think about Multi purpose cabs on the road, more and more models are being added and they are doing what the van do, carrying cargo, instead of people or doing both together
So what are the cabs that are able to do the job?
Beside the vito, there are the VW Touran, The Toyota Wish, the Honda Airwave, the Honda Stepwagon, the Toyota Estima, the Kia Caren.
And there are some which you can't call but it is a cab nevertheless: Honda Stream, Toyota Liteace.
I don't think many has seen this white Volvo V70 cab on the road a few years ago but if I am not mistaken, the one and the only volvo is brought in to transport such bulky item, and at the time of mainly crown and cedric, what could be better to do
the job than a Volvo estate.
What will you call?
Of course reply posts will be call the Vito or rent a van yourself.
Actually, there are more models of cabs than just the Vito that could do the job. If you think about Multi purpose cabs on the road, more and more models are being added and they are doing what the van do, carrying cargo, instead of people or doing both together
So what are the cabs that are able to do the job?
Beside the vito, there are the VW Touran, The Toyota Wish, the Honda Airwave, the Honda Stepwagon, the Toyota Estima, the Kia Caren.
And there are some which you can't call but it is a cab nevertheless: Honda Stream, Toyota Liteace.
I don't think many has seen this white Volvo V70 cab on the road a few years ago but if I am not mistaken, the one and the only volvo is brought in to transport such bulky item, and at the time of mainly crown and cedric, what could be better to do
the job than a Volvo estate.
What will you call?
Friday, August 22, 2008
Just where are the Chrysler 300C cabs?
The Hyundai Azera CNG cab from SMRT has been spotted for almost a month but where is sights of the Chrysler 300C. Both cabs are introduced by smrt together so they should come out not too long aoart from each other. Should, I am saying.
Perhaps that Chrysler is from America and hence the longer delivery time or perhaps that Chrslyler needed some time to produce the diesel powered cabs while the Azera (both originally are meant to be petrol powered) has ready stock of the standard variant
Or could it be that all 200 300C are already in Singapore but no drivers has the courage to make it their 'war' machines. (Refer to my previous post 200 of 300c). Maybe those who may have the courage also have the brains to realise that the 300c daily rental of close to 139 as compared to merc of 120+ is ridiculously high and not worth it.
Come on, what's the use of a higher starting fare?. Limo cab cabbies earns on the premium booking fee ($8 vs $3.50) and if you are talking about SMRT as compared to giant comfort delgro amount of bookings, it is not hard to see why nobody wants to take the 300C.
The other reason may be because of brand of the cabs. When you trigger the word Mercedes, people immediately associate it with the concept of luxury. When you say Chrysler, people response to it is likely to be I dont know (if it is worth the premium) Change resistors will rather stick cosily in their comfort zone and call a Merc cab instead.
Let's see how long more we have to wait before we spot the first Chrysler cab on the roads.
The Azera and the 300C at the SMRT launch
Perhaps that Chrysler is from America and hence the longer delivery time or perhaps that Chrslyler needed some time to produce the diesel powered cabs while the Azera (both originally are meant to be petrol powered) has ready stock of the standard variant
Or could it be that all 200 300C are already in Singapore but no drivers has the courage to make it their 'war' machines. (Refer to my previous post 200 of 300c). Maybe those who may have the courage also have the brains to realise that the 300c daily rental of close to 139 as compared to merc of 120+ is ridiculously high and not worth it.
Come on, what's the use of a higher starting fare?. Limo cab cabbies earns on the premium booking fee ($8 vs $3.50) and if you are talking about SMRT as compared to giant comfort delgro amount of bookings, it is not hard to see why nobody wants to take the 300C.
The other reason may be because of brand of the cabs. When you trigger the word Mercedes, people immediately associate it with the concept of luxury. When you say Chrysler, people response to it is likely to be I dont know (if it is worth the premium) Change resistors will rather stick cosily in their comfort zone and call a Merc cab instead.
Let's see how long more we have to wait before we spot the first Chrysler cab on the roads.
The Azera and the 300C at the SMRT launch
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
CNG Cabs woes
The Sunday times runs an article on a big group of CNG Kia Caren drivers went to see the management of Smart cab because they cannot cope with the issues that comes with driving their cng cabs like increasing cng cost, long queue at cng pumps and needing to pump several times per day.
They cannot stop simply stop driving their CNG cabs because they are under a 4 year contract with smart cab.
So now they want to get rid of their CNG cab which obviously Smart cab will not allow because who is the company going to pass the CNG Caren cabs to. So they offer some reliefs like monthly payouts and such.
Actually they have another alternatives. Unlike diesel powered taxis, which has no demand on the market, CNG cabs are just like normal passengers cars which can be sold to the average man on the street. Nevermind if you are think that nobody wants to buy, because I think that if the price is right, the transaction can be done.
They cannot stop simply stop driving their CNG cabs because they are under a 4 year contract with smart cab.
So now they want to get rid of their CNG cab which obviously Smart cab will not allow because who is the company going to pass the CNG Caren cabs to. So they offer some reliefs like monthly payouts and such.
Actually they have another alternatives. Unlike diesel powered taxis, which has no demand on the market, CNG cabs are just like normal passengers cars which can be sold to the average man on the street. Nevermind if you are think that nobody wants to buy, because I think that if the price is right, the transaction can be done.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Interesting Article
Interesting article by Ieuan Dolby
Catch a Taxi in Singapore
Some extracts:
"And the strangest thing is that if you are not going in his direction or to where he wants to go, then he will not pick you up. Amazing but true! Taxi drivers are very obstinate and although Singaporeans like to make money above all else the taxis do not follow that rule. For them food and sleep is more important and so if they are coming towards the end of their shift or feel like dinner, then they will not pick you up unless you want to go where they are going. It is quite possible to stop five or more cabs in a run only for the drivers to shake their heads and zoom off leaving you stranded and confused. A very frustrating time indeed! "
"Life though is more interesting than trying to catch a taxi. Life gets more active when one is inside and on the way to their destination. The average driver in Singapore is good. The average taxi driver in Singapore is definitely in need of help. Psychological help in some cases and others just need some basic lessons in driving. The roads in Singapore can be awkward as the forward momentum of the vehicle is constantly disrupted as another stop sign looms up, as another intersection needs to be navigated or another accident causes the whole system to falter. But the taxi drivers even with a smooth road ahead of them constantly apply the breaks and then the gas causing the passengers heads to hit the seat in front of them and then to be thrown backwards against the rear window. "
"It was when we where zooming along at way past the speed limit, that I looked closer at my driver. He was asleep and soundly so and we where heading straight for the oncoming lane. I acted instinctively and jumped across my prospective killer and adjusted the wheel and thus the cars’ direction to suit an accident free journey. Whilst doing that I jabbed my elbow into his shoulder (well, it turned out to be his face) to wake him up. A lucky save and if I had not been aware or had fallen asleep …… pancake time. I never fall asleep in a taxi after that experience. "
Disclaimer:
All rights belongs to the owner of the website / article.
Catch a Taxi in Singapore
Some extracts:
"And the strangest thing is that if you are not going in his direction or to where he wants to go, then he will not pick you up. Amazing but true! Taxi drivers are very obstinate and although Singaporeans like to make money above all else the taxis do not follow that rule. For them food and sleep is more important and so if they are coming towards the end of their shift or feel like dinner, then they will not pick you up unless you want to go where they are going. It is quite possible to stop five or more cabs in a run only for the drivers to shake their heads and zoom off leaving you stranded and confused. A very frustrating time indeed! "
"Life though is more interesting than trying to catch a taxi. Life gets more active when one is inside and on the way to their destination. The average driver in Singapore is good. The average taxi driver in Singapore is definitely in need of help. Psychological help in some cases and others just need some basic lessons in driving. The roads in Singapore can be awkward as the forward momentum of the vehicle is constantly disrupted as another stop sign looms up, as another intersection needs to be navigated or another accident causes the whole system to falter. But the taxi drivers even with a smooth road ahead of them constantly apply the breaks and then the gas causing the passengers heads to hit the seat in front of them and then to be thrown backwards against the rear window. "
"It was when we where zooming along at way past the speed limit, that I looked closer at my driver. He was asleep and soundly so and we where heading straight for the oncoming lane. I acted instinctively and jumped across my prospective killer and adjusted the wheel and thus the cars’ direction to suit an accident free journey. Whilst doing that I jabbed my elbow into his shoulder (well, it turned out to be his face) to wake him up. A lucky save and if I had not been aware or had fallen asleep …… pancake time. I never fall asleep in a taxi after that experience. "
Disclaimer:
All rights belongs to the owner of the website / article.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hyundai Starex Spotted
Here it is:
My apologies for the blurred picture. The starex is really going very fast.
My apologies for the blurred picture. The starex is really going very fast.
Monday, July 28, 2008
$1 Lelong for Taxi Services...
Saw this somewhere on the internet:
"Why not allow taxis, which now cruise empty past bus stops, to pick up those waiting for feeder buses and drive them to the nearest hub for a flat charge of $1 or less? Wastage from empty cruising would be cut down. Taxi drivers would have a new revenue source. Commuters would have a shorter wait."
I think this is a good concept that might work if done property.
Let talk about some similar situations where 'empty cruising' happens. For example, when a cab has dropped off passenger at the Mount Faber or any kind of parks. It is highly likely that the journey down or out of the park is an empty one. Yet, we see people walking...
You may say that the park visitos want to be healthy and walk...fine, let's consider another situation. For instance, when a cab drops off passengers in industrial places such as Tuas, the cab is very likely to go back to a central area like Boon Lay MRT empty. Yet, we see people taking buses. If the cabs can offer $1 or $2 trip back to the MRT station, it is probaby more than enough to cover his diesel for the trip back.
Like the person who posted the quote implies, it is a win-win situation. Commuters get to their destinations faster, cabbies earn something out of nothing.
Now, unless the taxi driver goes out of the norm and stop at bus stop to make the deal, this win win sitation is not likely to happen. Even if the taxi driver is willing to do that, he will be greeted by suspicious people who may think they might appear on the following night episode of Candid Camera.
So something on the National level must be done, like LTA or cab companies announcing that cabbie can have the freedom to charge any amount they think it is appropraite as long as it is under the starting fare of $3. Or they could be special displays or signs indicating stuffs like 'To AMK Central -$2' or 'To Toa Payoh MRT - $1' on top of the normal flagdown service.
i think that it could work...
"Why not allow taxis, which now cruise empty past bus stops, to pick up those waiting for feeder buses and drive them to the nearest hub for a flat charge of $1 or less? Wastage from empty cruising would be cut down. Taxi drivers would have a new revenue source. Commuters would have a shorter wait."
I think this is a good concept that might work if done property.
Let talk about some similar situations where 'empty cruising' happens. For example, when a cab has dropped off passenger at the Mount Faber or any kind of parks. It is highly likely that the journey down or out of the park is an empty one. Yet, we see people walking...
You may say that the park visitos want to be healthy and walk...fine, let's consider another situation. For instance, when a cab drops off passengers in industrial places such as Tuas, the cab is very likely to go back to a central area like Boon Lay MRT empty. Yet, we see people taking buses. If the cabs can offer $1 or $2 trip back to the MRT station, it is probaby more than enough to cover his diesel for the trip back.
Like the person who posted the quote implies, it is a win-win situation. Commuters get to their destinations faster, cabbies earn something out of nothing.
Now, unless the taxi driver goes out of the norm and stop at bus stop to make the deal, this win win sitation is not likely to happen. Even if the taxi driver is willing to do that, he will be greeted by suspicious people who may think they might appear on the following night episode of Candid Camera.
So something on the National level must be done, like LTA or cab companies announcing that cabbie can have the freedom to charge any amount they think it is appropraite as long as it is under the starting fare of $3. Or they could be special displays or signs indicating stuffs like 'To AMK Central -$2' or 'To Toa Payoh MRT - $1' on top of the normal flagdown service.
i think that it could work...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
New Sonata
Notice some rather different looking Sonatas on the roads.
Here they are:
New Sonata:
Old Sonata:
Also there are new airwaves on the roads. Go spot the difference.
Here they are:
New Sonata:
Old Sonata:
Also there are new airwaves on the roads. Go spot the difference.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Petrol Cabs
News from a few days back...
Prime Taxis will bring in 20 Honda Freed eight-seaters in a month time. The difference with these Honda Freed is that they will be running on petrol and NOT CNG or diesel. Now, as it is not restricted by a gas tank, All 8 seats / space will be available for passenger use. Imagine a Freed carrying cargo, something that only a Vito or Rodius can do...
Aparently, Prime believes that for their cabbies, the 1.5-litre Freed is more fuel-efficient than the 2-and 3-litre diesel cabs and because its cost is cheaper for Prime, they will also rent it out cheaper to the cabbies.
They also said that cabbies here are allowd to charge a dollar extra for every passenger beyond four.
It looks like it is a winning situation for the cabbies, underlyingly, it is also win-win situation for Prime. Because the car is cheaper, the charge lower rental rate, that will mean more demand. Secondly, the petrol cab road tax will be 6 times less than what a diesel cab will attract. Thirdly, as a petrol vehicle, it is easier for Prime to export to other countries after 5 years or so.
Brilliant....Looking forward to taking the Freed...
The Honda Freed
Prime Taxis will bring in 20 Honda Freed eight-seaters in a month time. The difference with these Honda Freed is that they will be running on petrol and NOT CNG or diesel. Now, as it is not restricted by a gas tank, All 8 seats / space will be available for passenger use. Imagine a Freed carrying cargo, something that only a Vito or Rodius can do...
Aparently, Prime believes that for their cabbies, the 1.5-litre Freed is more fuel-efficient than the 2-and 3-litre diesel cabs and because its cost is cheaper for Prime, they will also rent it out cheaper to the cabbies.
They also said that cabbies here are allowd to charge a dollar extra for every passenger beyond four.
It looks like it is a winning situation for the cabbies, underlyingly, it is also win-win situation for Prime. Because the car is cheaper, the charge lower rental rate, that will mean more demand. Secondly, the petrol cab road tax will be 6 times less than what a diesel cab will attract. Thirdly, as a petrol vehicle, it is easier for Prime to export to other countries after 5 years or so.
Brilliant....Looking forward to taking the Freed...
The Honda Freed
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Which colour is which???
The Crowns are the main stable of the cab companies and are easy to recognise which belongs which company. The same cannot be said to the rest of the models because there is usually little or no indication.
Here's what belong to who.
Camry
White - Comfort Delgro
Dark Blue - Prime Taxis
Green - Smartcab
London Cab
Various Colours - SMRT Taxis
Skoda Superb
Sliver - Slivercab (Sliver Arrow)
White - Smartcab
Volkswagen Touran
White - Smartcab
Toyota Estima / Honda Stepwagon
Light Blue - Prime Taxis
Then there are the Mercedes cab which are mostly white except for Slivercab which or course colour is silver.
Merc E-class (E220 CDI / E200 CNG)
Sliver - Slivercab (Sliver Star)
White - Varios breakdown as below
ComfortDelgro LimoCab - Comfort Delgro
Prestige - SMRT
Dynasty - Transcab
Green Leaf - Smartcab (E200 CNG)
Here's what belong to who.
Camry
White - Comfort Delgro
Dark Blue - Prime Taxis
Green - Smartcab
London Cab
Various Colours - SMRT Taxis
Skoda Superb
Sliver - Slivercab (Sliver Arrow)
White - Smartcab
Volkswagen Touran
White - Smartcab
Toyota Estima / Honda Stepwagon
Light Blue - Prime Taxis
Then there are the Mercedes cab which are mostly white except for Slivercab which or course colour is silver.
Merc E-class (E220 CDI / E200 CNG)
Sliver - Slivercab (Sliver Star)
White - Varios breakdown as below
ComfortDelgro LimoCab - Comfort Delgro
Prestige - SMRT
Dynasty - Transcab
Green Leaf - Smartcab (E200 CNG)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Taxi Fares and Surcharges in Singapore
Flagdown Fare
$2.80 (1st km or less)^
Meter Fare
$0.20 for ever 385m for 1st 10km
$0.20 for every 330m for 10km onwards
$0.20 for every 45 sec of waiting time
Booking Charges
$3.50 on these timings: 7.30am to 9.30am and 5pm to 11pm
$2.50 on all other timings
$5 to $5.20 for advance booking
Peak Hour Surcharge
35% of metered fare (7am to 9.30pm and 5pm to 8pm)
Midnight Surcharge
50% of metered fare (12am to 6am)
CBD Surcharge
Additional $3.00 (5pm to 12am, Mon to Sat except PH)
Public Holidays (PH) surcharge
$1.00 (6pm on the eve to 12am of major PH*)
$1.00 (1st & 2nd Day of CNY - whole day)
Location Surcharge
Changi Airport - $5 (Fri to Sun 5pm to 12am)
Changi Airport - $3 (all other times)
Seletar Airport - $3
Singapore Expo - $2
ERP Charges
Commuters bear all ERP charges displayed on the top screen on the cab IU.
^ For normal taxi. Higher charges applies for certain models
*New Year's Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Christmas Day,
$2.80 (1st km or less)^
Meter Fare
$0.20 for ever 385m for 1st 10km
$0.20 for every 330m for 10km onwards
$0.20 for every 45 sec of waiting time
Booking Charges
$3.50 on these timings: 7.30am to 9.30am and 5pm to 11pm
$2.50 on all other timings
$5 to $5.20 for advance booking
Peak Hour Surcharge
35% of metered fare (7am to 9.30pm and 5pm to 8pm)
Midnight Surcharge
50% of metered fare (12am to 6am)
CBD Surcharge
Additional $3.00 (5pm to 12am, Mon to Sat except PH)
Public Holidays (PH) surcharge
$1.00 (6pm on the eve to 12am of major PH*)
$1.00 (1st & 2nd Day of CNY - whole day)
Location Surcharge
Changi Airport - $5 (Fri to Sun 5pm to 12am)
Changi Airport - $3 (all other times)
Seletar Airport - $3
Singapore Expo - $2
ERP Charges
Commuters bear all ERP charges displayed on the top screen on the cab IU.
^ For normal taxi. Higher charges applies for certain models
*New Year's Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Christmas Day,
Friday, July 18, 2008
Fuel Savings Tips
To All Crown and Manual Taxi Driver:
By the laws of physics, shifting to higher gear earier does not equate to saving fuel. There is such things as engine optimal range and by not driving within the engine optimium range means that the engine is not efficient = consume more fuel.
Put it this way, when you shift to a higher gear too early, your engine got no power to pick up speed, therefore it will accelerate slowly and when you find that your vehicle is not moving, you press more on the accelerator. More fuel goes through causing in increase in FC.
And if you have not noticed, passengers do feel uncomfortable with the vibration and shaking caused by the lack of power.
Also, please also eliminate the mentality that when you put to neutral before the traffic light, you save fuel. Some automatic cabs drivers are also guilty of this too.
Again by the law of physics, when you are in gear and braking, the engine uses the movement energy from the wheels to power the engine and therefore a modern engine like that one found in all cabs now consume absolutely no fuel at all. On the other hand, if you put neutral miles before the traffic light, the engine actually uses a bit of fuel to keep itself from stalling. Not a lot but it all adds up,
By the laws of physics, shifting to higher gear earier does not equate to saving fuel. There is such things as engine optimal range and by not driving within the engine optimium range means that the engine is not efficient = consume more fuel.
Put it this way, when you shift to a higher gear too early, your engine got no power to pick up speed, therefore it will accelerate slowly and when you find that your vehicle is not moving, you press more on the accelerator. More fuel goes through causing in increase in FC.
And if you have not noticed, passengers do feel uncomfortable with the vibration and shaking caused by the lack of power.
Also, please also eliminate the mentality that when you put to neutral before the traffic light, you save fuel. Some automatic cabs drivers are also guilty of this too.
Again by the law of physics, when you are in gear and braking, the engine uses the movement energy from the wheels to power the engine and therefore a modern engine like that one found in all cabs now consume absolutely no fuel at all. On the other hand, if you put neutral miles before the traffic light, the engine actually uses a bit of fuel to keep itself from stalling. Not a lot but it all adds up,
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Common Taxi Booking Hotline 6-DIAL-CAB
Heard over the radio news that LTA has launched a common taxi booking hotline for commuters to call cabs.
The benefit of this move is commuters will only need to call this number 6-DIAL-CAB (6-3425-222) and the system will automatically link up to 3 taxi companies for the request.
Therefore, if the first company does not have cab, the system will auto link up to the 2nd company and then to the 3rd company. This increase the chance of one getting a cab with just one telephone call.
As the normal taxi hotline for individual companies are still in operation, the taxi operators will see it as an additional source of call bookings
For people who have preference for any taxi companies, they can still book a taxi from the company directly by calling the respective hotline.
The benefit of this move is commuters will only need to call this number 6-DIAL-CAB (6-3425-222) and the system will automatically link up to 3 taxi companies for the request.
Therefore, if the first company does not have cab, the system will auto link up to the 2nd company and then to the 3rd company. This increase the chance of one getting a cab with just one telephone call.
As the normal taxi hotline for individual companies are still in operation, the taxi operators will see it as an additional source of call bookings
For people who have preference for any taxi companies, they can still book a taxi from the company directly by calling the respective hotline.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Slow lah, Uncle.
Have you noticed nowadays how taxi drivers are driving slowly on the roads. Last time, they will just overtake effortlessly, rev unnecesaary and speed readily, be it when the cabs are hired or empty. Not anymore. Now they seems to be taking their own leisurely time to cruise and sightsee the roads of Singapore.
If you have no idea of what I am talking about, let's put it this way. For my modest 1-litred car to overtake a taxi, I need to be willing to burn some petrol as well as have some good driving skills. Now, overtaking taxis is just the next thing you will do once you have start your engine.
I can only attribute this trend to one factor, THIS:
Rising Oil Price.
Diesel price went up to almost $2 per litre, originally it was less than a dollar. What makes matter worse is that the increase for diesel is a more than proportionate increase as compared with petrol. It has actually come to a level where it is alarmingly close to petrol prices ($1.93 to $2.13 is a mere $0.20 difference)
So last time, taxi drivers could just 'waste fuel' by driving fast because they know that the cost per km is much lesser than passenger cars. Not anymore with today price. With prices as expensive, they are forced to make full use of diesel and drive slowly with the sole intention of increasing fuel economy.
Is it a good thing?
If you have no idea of what I am talking about, let's put it this way. For my modest 1-litred car to overtake a taxi, I need to be willing to burn some petrol as well as have some good driving skills. Now, overtaking taxis is just the next thing you will do once you have start your engine.
I can only attribute this trend to one factor, THIS:
Rising Oil Price.
Diesel price went up to almost $2 per litre, originally it was less than a dollar. What makes matter worse is that the increase for diesel is a more than proportionate increase as compared with petrol. It has actually come to a level where it is alarmingly close to petrol prices ($1.93 to $2.13 is a mere $0.20 difference)
So last time, taxi drivers could just 'waste fuel' by driving fast because they know that the cost per km is much lesser than passenger cars. Not anymore with today price. With prices as expensive, they are forced to make full use of diesel and drive slowly with the sole intention of increasing fuel economy.
Is it a good thing?
Saturday, July 12, 2008
News: ComfortDelgro impose 30c surcharge
IN THE NEWS:
Source: Channelnewsasia Website
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/359729/1/.html
SINGAPORE : From July 17, passengers on Comfort and CityCab taxis will have to pay a 30-cent surcharge per journey.
Singapore's largest taxi group, ComfortDelGro, said this is to help its cabbies cope with increases in diesel costs.
Open market pump prices for diesel have risen by more than 50 per cent in the last six months, and ComfortDelGro said it has been subsidising the cost so that its cabbies can enjoy diesel prices at S$1.19 per litre.
But despite these subsidies, cabbies still have to cough up an average of S$15 a day extra for fuel.
So with the new surcharge, cabbies making at least 30 trips can make S$9 or more each day. But some cabbies said it is still not enough.
One of them said, "(If we get about) S$17, S$18... extra, (then) it's okay."
Others do not think the surcharge will benefit them. One cabbie said, "(It) doesn't help. (It will) frighten people from taking a taxi."
Passengers also had mixed views. One said, "I'm already taking a cab during the peak hour, so 30 cents doesn't matter actually."
Another said, "I'm not all right with that. Because basically we already have the 35 per cent surcharge for peak hour."
A third noted, "I think it's quite reasonable. At least you pay the cabbie, because I think the other surcharges, what we pay, I don't think it reaches them."
Some passengers, however, worry this will set a precedent. One passenger said, "What happens if the petrol price increases again? Are you going to increase the surcharge?"
ComfortDelGro said the surcharge will be removed when pump prices fall back to S$1.19 per litre - the market price last December.
For now, there has been no word from other taxi operators on whether they will introduce a similar surcharge. - CNA/ms
My Comments:
If you ask me, it will not work if other taxi companies does not follow. Reason being commuters can conveniently not flag for comfort taxi and flag the other company taxi to avoid surcharge. If every company follows suit, then commuters would not have a choice. I dont think it will affect too much in terms of demand as 30cent as a percentage in today's taxi price is just insignificant. On midnight for me, it is a mere 1%.
And is it realistic for Comfort to think pump prices will really drop back to S$1.19 per litre?
Source: Channelnewsasia Website
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/359729/1/.html
SINGAPORE : From July 17, passengers on Comfort and CityCab taxis will have to pay a 30-cent surcharge per journey.
Singapore's largest taxi group, ComfortDelGro, said this is to help its cabbies cope with increases in diesel costs.
Open market pump prices for diesel have risen by more than 50 per cent in the last six months, and ComfortDelGro said it has been subsidising the cost so that its cabbies can enjoy diesel prices at S$1.19 per litre.
But despite these subsidies, cabbies still have to cough up an average of S$15 a day extra for fuel.
So with the new surcharge, cabbies making at least 30 trips can make S$9 or more each day. But some cabbies said it is still not enough.
One of them said, "(If we get about) S$17, S$18... extra, (then) it's okay."
Others do not think the surcharge will benefit them. One cabbie said, "(It) doesn't help. (It will) frighten people from taking a taxi."
Passengers also had mixed views. One said, "I'm already taking a cab during the peak hour, so 30 cents doesn't matter actually."
Another said, "I'm not all right with that. Because basically we already have the 35 per cent surcharge for peak hour."
A third noted, "I think it's quite reasonable. At least you pay the cabbie, because I think the other surcharges, what we pay, I don't think it reaches them."
Some passengers, however, worry this will set a precedent. One passenger said, "What happens if the petrol price increases again? Are you going to increase the surcharge?"
ComfortDelGro said the surcharge will be removed when pump prices fall back to S$1.19 per litre - the market price last December.
For now, there has been no word from other taxi operators on whether they will introduce a similar surcharge. - CNA/ms
My Comments:
If you ask me, it will not work if other taxi companies does not follow. Reason being commuters can conveniently not flag for comfort taxi and flag the other company taxi to avoid surcharge. If every company follows suit, then commuters would not have a choice. I dont think it will affect too much in terms of demand as 30cent as a percentage in today's taxi price is just insignificant. On midnight for me, it is a mere 1%.
And is it realistic for Comfort to think pump prices will really drop back to S$1.19 per litre?
Friday, July 11, 2008
One step closer to the 300C
Unveiling the SMRT Hyundai Azera CNG
(That's the only photo I got...)
Spotted near Yio Chu Kang Area.
Does that mean the Chrysler 300C is also out on the roads already?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
What's worse than flagging down a Toyota Crown
As you know, in one of my posting in March 08, me and my group of friends hated the Toyota Crown and would go to great length to not take a Crown Cab for reasons that you can refer to my previous post.
So, what could be worse than taking a crown cab?
My answer came when I flagged this:
The Nissan Cedric
It is as old as the Crown and being a Nissan (no offence to nissan fans), some of the aspects are not as good as a Toyota.
Basically, to sum up, as comparison:
Engine is noisier and lounder and coarser than the Toyota
Ride is not as good as a Crown
Interior feels like it is older / falling apart faster than a Toyota
In fact, everything feels sub-standard as compared to a Crown
It feels like a car from the pre-historial age.
Now if left with no choice, I would take a crown but if left with no choice, I would not even take a Cedric. You know what I did, I went to take a bus. At least, the ride was more comfortable.
So, what could be worse than taking a crown cab?
My answer came when I flagged this:
The Nissan Cedric
It is as old as the Crown and being a Nissan (no offence to nissan fans), some of the aspects are not as good as a Toyota.
Basically, to sum up, as comparison:
Engine is noisier and lounder and coarser than the Toyota
Ride is not as good as a Crown
Interior feels like it is older / falling apart faster than a Toyota
In fact, everything feels sub-standard as compared to a Crown
It feels like a car from the pre-historial age.
Now if left with no choice, I would take a crown but if left with no choice, I would not even take a Cedric. You know what I did, I went to take a bus. At least, the ride was more comfortable.
Cabs in Singapore
For the benefit of people who are not living in Singapore as well as for the benefit of people living in Singapore who have no idea of which cab belongs to which company, I have drafted some information as below:
Company: ComfortDelgro(Comfort)
Primary Colour: Blue
Hotline: 6552 1111
Models owned by this company: Crown, Sonata, Azera, E220, Vito, Camry
Other Information - Merged with Citycab (below).
Largest cab company in Singapore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: ComfortDelgro(Citycab)
Primary Colour: Yellow
Hotline: 6552 1111
Models owned by this company: Crown, Cedric, Sonata, Azera, E220, Vito
Other Information - Merged with Comfort(Above).
Largest cab company in Singapore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: SmartCab
Primary Colour: Green
Hotline: 6485 7777
Models owned by this company: Crown, Caren, Camry, Touran, Azera
Other Information - Relatively new company, expanding rather quickly in range of models
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: SMRT
Primary Colour: White
Hotline: 6555 8888
Models owned by this company: Crown, Cedric, Merc, Rodius, Chrysler 300C, Azera
Other Information - 2nd largest company after ComfortDelgro. Rather conservative until now. Bringing in Chrysler 300C. Can't wait!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: TransCab
Primary Colour: Red
Hotline: 6555 3333
Models owned by this company: Crown, Wish, E220,
Other Information - Relatively new company, expanding quickly in number of same model
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: SliverCab
Primary Colour: Sliver lah
Hotline: 6363 6888
Models owned by this company: Crown, Skoda, Magentis, E220
Other Information - IMO, a rather radical company who do not want to be the same as the rest. Make things more interesting for the Singapore taxi scene.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: Yellow Top
Primary Colour: Black base with Yellow Roof
Hotline: NA
Models by this company: Crown, Cedric, Wish, Stream, Airwave, Axio, Corolla, Fielder, Liteace, Hilux, Croma, Peugt Partner.
Other Information - Notice I did not use the word 'own' under 'Models by this company'. This is most of the cabs are personal meaning they are just using the company as a name to operate the own cabs. They have no call system nor any network system. Therefore for them it is just flag down and go. Have the most interesting range of cabs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: Prime Taxi
Primary Colour: Orange / Light Blue
Hotline: 6778 0808
Models owned by this company: Wish, Axio, Fielder, Airwave, Carmy, Estima, Stepwagon
Other Information - Only company to not have crown in the fleet. Only company to use CNG for all their cabs. Their cabs are nothing we can ever imagine it being a cab in the past.
Company: ComfortDelgro(Comfort)
Primary Colour: Blue
Hotline: 6552 1111
Models owned by this company: Crown, Sonata, Azera, E220, Vito, Camry
Other Information - Merged with Citycab (below).
Largest cab company in Singapore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: ComfortDelgro(Citycab)
Primary Colour: Yellow
Hotline: 6552 1111
Models owned by this company: Crown, Cedric, Sonata, Azera, E220, Vito
Other Information - Merged with Comfort(Above).
Largest cab company in Singapore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: SmartCab
Primary Colour: Green
Hotline: 6485 7777
Models owned by this company: Crown, Caren, Camry, Touran, Azera
Other Information - Relatively new company, expanding rather quickly in range of models
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: SMRT
Primary Colour: White
Hotline: 6555 8888
Models owned by this company: Crown, Cedric, Merc, Rodius, Chrysler 300C, Azera
Other Information - 2nd largest company after ComfortDelgro. Rather conservative until now. Bringing in Chrysler 300C. Can't wait!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: TransCab
Primary Colour: Red
Hotline: 6555 3333
Models owned by this company: Crown, Wish, E220,
Other Information - Relatively new company, expanding quickly in number of same model
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: SliverCab
Primary Colour: Sliver lah
Hotline: 6363 6888
Models owned by this company: Crown, Skoda, Magentis, E220
Other Information - IMO, a rather radical company who do not want to be the same as the rest. Make things more interesting for the Singapore taxi scene.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: Yellow Top
Primary Colour: Black base with Yellow Roof
Hotline: NA
Models by this company: Crown, Cedric, Wish, Stream, Airwave, Axio, Corolla, Fielder, Liteace, Hilux, Croma, Peugt Partner.
Other Information - Notice I did not use the word 'own' under 'Models by this company'. This is most of the cabs are personal meaning they are just using the company as a name to operate the own cabs. They have no call system nor any network system. Therefore for them it is just flag down and go. Have the most interesting range of cabs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: Prime Taxi
Primary Colour: Orange / Light Blue
Hotline: 6778 0808
Models owned by this company: Wish, Axio, Fielder, Airwave, Carmy, Estima, Stepwagon
Other Information - Only company to not have crown in the fleet. Only company to use CNG for all their cabs. Their cabs are nothing we can ever imagine it being a cab in the past.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Guess who is the new king?
We all know that once upon a time, the king of choice of taxis is the Toyota Crown, for being all obvious reasons.
They were:
- Spacious (just take note of how generous the leg room is when you next take a crown and compare it with a Sonata, which is a much bigger car)
- Comfortable (just look at how much they cushion the ride on the road)
- Powerful
- Accomodating (Boot space and such)
- Reliability (Tell me how often you seen a broken down Crown taxi pulling over at the side of the road)
- Fuel Efficient (It is a Toyota!)
In fact they still are now, just that there are other better car around...
Be it the consumers or the peeps from the cab company love the Toyota Crown and susbsequently, not surprisingly, the crown became the dafault choice of taxis on the roads. Every taxi companies out there started to buy the Toyota Crown, replaced a Crown with a Crown and wanted nothing but the Crown.
The Toyota Crown - The old king of taxis
Pulling you back to the Present, environmental factors have changed. Oil price reached record high price, technology improves (auto becomes as efficient as the manual) and people want something more confortable.
This translate to people switching to automatic cabs, increasingly more cabs using CNG and people prefering cabs which take them home without annoying them.
So someone has to take over, and NO, it is not the Sonata....
Why?
Because to be the King, the model has to be the first choice for taxi companies and from my observation, except for Comfort / CityCab (which is the same company), no other companies use the Sonata (you realised? Despite being very common, Sonata cab is either in comfort blue or citycab yellow). Therefore, it cannot be acclaimed as the king. I am not giving it the honour just because one big company bought many of them.
So, if it is not the Sonata, who is the King?
The TOYOTA WISH!!!
Why?
See, the 1st Wish that started the whole thing is a CNG yellow top cab, then Prime Cab took in a couple more and then only recently, Transcab brought into a lot more. Have you notice how the streets today are filled with red colour Toyota Wish? (below)
What more, it is automatic, it is a Toyota, it is powered by CNG, with space for lugguage even with the huge CNG tank and it is relatively spacious and refined.
It is therefore the new King of taxi on the road in time to come.
Not convinced? Email me.
The Toyota Wish - The new enthroned king of taxis
The King is dead, long live the King...
They were:
- Spacious (just take note of how generous the leg room is when you next take a crown and compare it with a Sonata, which is a much bigger car)
- Comfortable (just look at how much they cushion the ride on the road)
- Powerful
- Accomodating (Boot space and such)
- Reliability (Tell me how often you seen a broken down Crown taxi pulling over at the side of the road)
- Fuel Efficient (It is a Toyota!)
In fact they still are now, just that there are other better car around...
Be it the consumers or the peeps from the cab company love the Toyota Crown and susbsequently, not surprisingly, the crown became the dafault choice of taxis on the roads. Every taxi companies out there started to buy the Toyota Crown, replaced a Crown with a Crown and wanted nothing but the Crown.
The Toyota Crown - The old king of taxis
Pulling you back to the Present, environmental factors have changed. Oil price reached record high price, technology improves (auto becomes as efficient as the manual) and people want something more confortable.
This translate to people switching to automatic cabs, increasingly more cabs using CNG and people prefering cabs which take them home without annoying them.
So someone has to take over, and NO, it is not the Sonata....
Why?
Because to be the King, the model has to be the first choice for taxi companies and from my observation, except for Comfort / CityCab (which is the same company), no other companies use the Sonata (you realised? Despite being very common, Sonata cab is either in comfort blue or citycab yellow). Therefore, it cannot be acclaimed as the king. I am not giving it the honour just because one big company bought many of them.
So, if it is not the Sonata, who is the King?
The TOYOTA WISH!!!
Why?
See, the 1st Wish that started the whole thing is a CNG yellow top cab, then Prime Cab took in a couple more and then only recently, Transcab brought into a lot more. Have you notice how the streets today are filled with red colour Toyota Wish? (below)
What more, it is automatic, it is a Toyota, it is powered by CNG, with space for lugguage even with the huge CNG tank and it is relatively spacious and refined.
It is therefore the new King of taxi on the road in time to come.
Not convinced? Email me.
The Toyota Wish - The new enthroned king of taxis
The King is dead, long live the King...
Friday, June 20, 2008
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Tired of work, studying or doing stuffs that you don't really like.
(I hope reading this blog isn't one of them...) :P
Relax and laugh yourself out at my jokes corner.
Visit:
http://labem.blogspot.com
Because they say laughter is the best medicine....
(I hope reading this blog isn't one of them...) :P
Relax and laugh yourself out at my jokes corner.
Visit:
http://labem.blogspot.com
Because they say laughter is the best medicine....
Monday, June 9, 2008
WHERE ARE ALL THE MERC CAB ?
If you are wondering why you couldnt get mercedes cab in the cbd area during the night, here's why.
This is my experience plus some reconcilation on what was told to me by some cabby.
I was walking along club street on one particular weeknight and guess what i saw. There are about 2 to 3 mercedes cab rounding around the ann siang-club street area.
What are they doing there, presumely i believe they are looking for drunk ang mo where they could charge a flat rate or charge more for 'limo' services. I know it is illegal but face the truth, it is still happening.
The time then was about 10pm in the evening.
Second assumption is that they could be rounding just to wait for people who calls for cab. This way, they earn $3.00 for being in the cbd, another $2.50 for call plus their metre starting at $3 or $3.20, they already have $8 or so in their pocket once they pick up a passenger. More still if people call for limo services where the call charges become $8, total around $13 before they start.
What more, there seems to be a consensus that empty cabs dont pick passenger up in these area, displaying the irritating 'busy, therefore if you happen to be partying in these area, it is almost impossible to flag down a cab at that timing.
They actually create an environment of scarcity where if you really need them, u pay and money actually goes into their pockets.
Smart, is it? But we absolutely hate it.
Mercedes Cab 'hiding' waiting for its prey...
This is my experience plus some reconcilation on what was told to me by some cabby.
I was walking along club street on one particular weeknight and guess what i saw. There are about 2 to 3 mercedes cab rounding around the ann siang-club street area.
What are they doing there, presumely i believe they are looking for drunk ang mo where they could charge a flat rate or charge more for 'limo' services. I know it is illegal but face the truth, it is still happening.
The time then was about 10pm in the evening.
Second assumption is that they could be rounding just to wait for people who calls for cab. This way, they earn $3.00 for being in the cbd, another $2.50 for call plus their metre starting at $3 or $3.20, they already have $8 or so in their pocket once they pick up a passenger. More still if people call for limo services where the call charges become $8, total around $13 before they start.
What more, there seems to be a consensus that empty cabs dont pick passenger up in these area, displaying the irritating 'busy, therefore if you happen to be partying in these area, it is almost impossible to flag down a cab at that timing.
They actually create an environment of scarcity where if you really need them, u pay and money actually goes into their pockets.
Smart, is it? But we absolutely hate it.
Mercedes Cab 'hiding' waiting for its prey...
Saturday, June 7, 2008
2nd Encounter with Azera
Just took the Azera cab again for the 2nd time with driver displaying a different driving style. This time round the driver revs the cab whereas the last round the driver drives like he has all the time in the world.
Conclusion: i stick to my previous. It just feels like a slightly bigger, white sonata. That's all.
So what's the purpose of this post?
I noticed that there is some similar characteristic of azera cab drivers after talking to both of them
They seems to be the very relax kind where money is not important to them. They seems to be driving cab as a pasttime rather than to earn income to support the family. They seems not to be bothered of how much they earn at all as long as they can cover rental or maybe not.
The driver of the last azera cab started work at 10am and I was the first passenger at 10.30pm.
The driver of the azera cab i took recently reveals to me that he is retired and was actually driving a $200k car last time. He didnt want to buy a expensive car because he didnt want to spend so much on what he calls a 'depreciating asset', not that he has no money to spend.
When i ask him why he was driving a cab then, he told me that it is cheaper. 'All you have to bother is the rental and goes on to tell me how expensive petrol is now and how much he has to fork out when took his 200k car for servicing.
A cab can perform all the functions car can, in fact perhaps sometime better because the cab is usually based on a more luxurious model, so there is better comfort, safety features, better ride, a more powerful engine, etc
So, if you think that car ownership in singapore is expensive, i have a solution for you already. Go be a cabby.
Oh yes, i forgot to tell you that you cant drive into malaysia if you drive a cab...
Hyundai Azera - The relax cab driver top choice
Conclusion: i stick to my previous. It just feels like a slightly bigger, white sonata. That's all.
So what's the purpose of this post?
I noticed that there is some similar characteristic of azera cab drivers after talking to both of them
They seems to be the very relax kind where money is not important to them. They seems to be driving cab as a pasttime rather than to earn income to support the family. They seems not to be bothered of how much they earn at all as long as they can cover rental or maybe not.
The driver of the last azera cab started work at 10am and I was the first passenger at 10.30pm.
The driver of the azera cab i took recently reveals to me that he is retired and was actually driving a $200k car last time. He didnt want to buy a expensive car because he didnt want to spend so much on what he calls a 'depreciating asset', not that he has no money to spend.
When i ask him why he was driving a cab then, he told me that it is cheaper. 'All you have to bother is the rental and goes on to tell me how expensive petrol is now and how much he has to fork out when took his 200k car for servicing.
A cab can perform all the functions car can, in fact perhaps sometime better because the cab is usually based on a more luxurious model, so there is better comfort, safety features, better ride, a more powerful engine, etc
So, if you think that car ownership in singapore is expensive, i have a solution for you already. Go be a cabby.
Oh yes, i forgot to tell you that you cant drive into malaysia if you drive a cab...
Hyundai Azera - The relax cab driver top choice
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Perfect Limo
Although it was on the road for as long as we know Zoe Tay got married, I never had the chance to take the Mercedes CNG cab before. Not until few days ago when luck came standing beside me.
Initially, I thought I just flagged down a Mercedes cab and when it stopped beside me, I saw the unmistakable green leaf logo - the natural gas Merc cab.
(Image Courtesy from Smartcab website. All rights reserved)
Yes, i have taken quite a number of natural gas cab like the axio, airwave, wish but Merc...hmmm...interesting.
And the ride actually blows me away. It is everything the merc cab is suppose to be, smooth, quiet, refined, powerful, in fact, it is what all merc should be. In the cab, things starts to change to be relaxing. You become less concerned with what's happening around you, you start to notice what the beat and rhythm the cab stereo is playing, you start to feel that you are really pampered with the luxury and smoothness of what a car can offer you, you start to hynotise that you are inside a paradise that moment....
I think i have found the answer to a $200k Roll Royce...
---------
Updated: 10 Jun 08
I just realized that you can actually buy a E200 NGT from cycle and carriage. So for all those that absolutely hate white mercedes with a 'thing' on top, you can go fork out $180+K to buy a private CNG E-class. Trust me, it is worth the money if you are looking for luxurious refinement...
The Eclass NGT - The Perfect Limo
Initially, I thought I just flagged down a Mercedes cab and when it stopped beside me, I saw the unmistakable green leaf logo - the natural gas Merc cab.
(Image Courtesy from Smartcab website. All rights reserved)
Yes, i have taken quite a number of natural gas cab like the axio, airwave, wish but Merc...hmmm...interesting.
And the ride actually blows me away. It is everything the merc cab is suppose to be, smooth, quiet, refined, powerful, in fact, it is what all merc should be. In the cab, things starts to change to be relaxing. You become less concerned with what's happening around you, you start to notice what the beat and rhythm the cab stereo is playing, you start to feel that you are really pampered with the luxury and smoothness of what a car can offer you, you start to hynotise that you are inside a paradise that moment....
I think i have found the answer to a $200k Roll Royce...
---------
Updated: 10 Jun 08
I just realized that you can actually buy a E200 NGT from cycle and carriage. So for all those that absolutely hate white mercedes with a 'thing' on top, you can go fork out $180+K to buy a private CNG E-class. Trust me, it is worth the money if you are looking for luxurious refinement...
The Eclass NGT - The Perfect Limo
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
More CNG Cabs
It seems like more and more taxi companies are swaying off conventional way of get diesel cabs and moving towards petrol-CNG cabs.
The benefit to the company is, i believe, that they save on road tax. CNG converted cars or cabs for the matter is still considered passenger cars and not commercial vehicle and they attract incentives, not more tax, from the authorities.
The benefits to passanger is a quieter ride which I think nobody would be too bother considering most of the cab passenger can still stand the defeating roar coming out of the toyota crown engine
The main benefit to the drivers when they drives a CNG cab is that when it is powered by CNG, the mileage improves tremendously. Sometimes almost twice as much better as a diesel cab. This translate the lower cost per km and higher income for the driver. The only downside is the refuelling part which as at now, there are only 2 CNG stations, one in Jurong island and the other at Mandai. And refuelling need to be done often as one full tank can only power the cab for about 200km.
So my question to the drivers will be if they are out of CNG, note that they could still switch to running on petrol, will they still continue to pick up passenger and run on petrol which is more expensive or will they head straight to the refuelling station to top up first before continuing to work?
I am not too sure which is the option that majority will take but put me in the situation, i will continue to run on petrol.
Reason?
In terms of cost, the taxi metre rate tranlsate to around $0.50 per km revenue to the cab drivers. The cost of the petrol is about $0.30 per km. These 2 figures is based on the consevative side. So to the driver, he is still making money even if he choose to run on petrol.
In terms of revenue, taxi drivers like to say time is money, so if there is an available passenger, and with the consideration that you are just making less and not making a loss, then why not take the passenger?
Why say you?
The benefit to the company is, i believe, that they save on road tax. CNG converted cars or cabs for the matter is still considered passenger cars and not commercial vehicle and they attract incentives, not more tax, from the authorities.
The benefits to passanger is a quieter ride which I think nobody would be too bother considering most of the cab passenger can still stand the defeating roar coming out of the toyota crown engine
The main benefit to the drivers when they drives a CNG cab is that when it is powered by CNG, the mileage improves tremendously. Sometimes almost twice as much better as a diesel cab. This translate the lower cost per km and higher income for the driver. The only downside is the refuelling part which as at now, there are only 2 CNG stations, one in Jurong island and the other at Mandai. And refuelling need to be done often as one full tank can only power the cab for about 200km.
So my question to the drivers will be if they are out of CNG, note that they could still switch to running on petrol, will they still continue to pick up passenger and run on petrol which is more expensive or will they head straight to the refuelling station to top up first before continuing to work?
I am not too sure which is the option that majority will take but put me in the situation, i will continue to run on petrol.
Reason?
In terms of cost, the taxi metre rate tranlsate to around $0.50 per km revenue to the cab drivers. The cost of the petrol is about $0.30 per km. These 2 figures is based on the consevative side. So to the driver, he is still making money even if he choose to run on petrol.
In terms of revenue, taxi drivers like to say time is money, so if there is an available passenger, and with the consideration that you are just making less and not making a loss, then why not take the passenger?
Why say you?
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Head Count Time
Taxi Varieties Count as at May 2008
1. Toyota Crown
2. Nissan Cedric
3. Hyundai Sonata
4. Kia Magentis
5. Mercedes E220
6. Skoda Superb
7. Mercedes Vito
8. Honda Airwave
9. Honda Stream
10. Honda Stepwagon
11. Toyota Wish
12. Toyota Axio
13. Toyota Fielder
14. Toyota Camry
15. Toyota LiteAce
16. Ssangyong Rodius
17. Fiat Croma
18. Peugeot Partner
19. Kia Caren
20. Hyundai Azera
21. VW Touran
22. Volvo V70
23. Chrysler 300C (Confirmed but still not on the roads)
1. Toyota Crown
2. Nissan Cedric
3. Hyundai Sonata
4. Kia Magentis
5. Mercedes E220
6. Skoda Superb
7. Mercedes Vito
8. Honda Airwave
9. Honda Stream
10. Honda Stepwagon
11. Toyota Wish
12. Toyota Axio
13. Toyota Fielder
14. Toyota Camry
15. Toyota LiteAce
16. Ssangyong Rodius
17. Fiat Croma
18. Peugeot Partner
19. Kia Caren
20. Hyundai Azera
21. VW Touran
22. Volvo V70
23. Chrysler 300C (Confirmed but still not on the roads)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
200 of 300C
I just read from some car magazine that SMRT will be bringing in 200 Chrysler 300C into its feet as Limo Taxis. Yes, the 'big daddy' huge American car.
Before I talk about the 300C being a taxi, let me talk about the 300C as a car in Singapore. The 300C is one of the biggest car that reached Singapore's shores. Although the visual effect portrayed by the car is fantastic, road presence is awesome, the practically aspect is something that I don't understand how owners of 300C can live with.
With such small roads and space in Singapore, the made for America 300C seems to have trouble living in Singapore. Let me ask you: Have you ever seen a 300C in one of the parallel parking lots?
Even when you park in normal parking lot, the whole bonnet seems to be protruding out of the lot. As a result, there was one 300C owner who have to park at the loading bay because I think the car cannot go into the Multi Storey carpark. Even if it could, it perhaps have to park 3 lots parallel.
Let's move on the 300C being a taxi. As we can see that taxis on the road need to be versatile, they need to do tight junctions illegal u-turns, they need to squeeze at the side of the road to go toilet, they need to park anywhere for their coffee break...all of which i suppose it isn't the 300C forte.
Kudos to the 200 brave souls whoare the 300C driver-to-be.
As for me, I just can't wait to take one of the 300C...
Keep u all updated.
The Chrysler 300C
Before I talk about the 300C being a taxi, let me talk about the 300C as a car in Singapore. The 300C is one of the biggest car that reached Singapore's shores. Although the visual effect portrayed by the car is fantastic, road presence is awesome, the practically aspect is something that I don't understand how owners of 300C can live with.
With such small roads and space in Singapore, the made for America 300C seems to have trouble living in Singapore. Let me ask you: Have you ever seen a 300C in one of the parallel parking lots?
Even when you park in normal parking lot, the whole bonnet seems to be protruding out of the lot. As a result, there was one 300C owner who have to park at the loading bay because I think the car cannot go into the Multi Storey carpark. Even if it could, it perhaps have to park 3 lots parallel.
Let's move on the 300C being a taxi. As we can see that taxis on the road need to be versatile, they need to do tight junctions illegal u-turns, they need to squeeze at the side of the road to go toilet, they need to park anywhere for their coffee break...all of which i suppose it isn't the 300C forte.
Kudos to the 200 brave souls whoare the 300C driver-to-be.
As for me, I just can't wait to take one of the 300C...
Keep u all updated.
The Chrysler 300C
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Estima Cab Spotted
Estima Cab spotted around AMK
The funny thing is that the company who own the cab is Prime taxi and their other cabs are orange in colour. The wish, airwave, fielder, axio, etc.
Then why is the Estima blue in colour? Looks like it is from another company in the market.
There is only a small logo stating that the it is a Prime Taxi at the rear of the taxi.
Talk about branding...
Notice that from this angle, except for the CNG sign that a car could also have, nothing of it seems to suggest that it is a cab.
Now on my No.1 list to I WANT TO FLAG DOWN! cab. No 2 is still Honda Stream.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Definition of Axio - Smallest Cab in Singapore History
Got this rare chance to take Prime (the orange colour one) Axio cab.
If you do not know, Axio is the newest member of the Corolla family which is the bread and butter car for the typical Singaporean in Singapore. It is reliable, spacious,
simple to operate, good fuel consumption, blah blah blah...
That's okay if you using it as private family car. What happens now is that even the axio is a CAB now. The only difference is that it is powered by natural gas.
See, since time began, the cabs in Singapore are all dominated by big cars. The private version of the Toyota Crown is a 3000cc luxury saloon called Royal Crown. The Nissan Cedric is also a large car by any default. Even the old Toyota Corona isn't the typical average car in Singapore.
It feels like now smaller car can take the role of the bigger car. The next time your VIP is here, forget about an S-Class Merc or a 7-series. The Mini-Cooper can do the same job.
If you do not know, Axio is the newest member of the Corolla family which is the bread and butter car for the typical Singaporean in Singapore. It is reliable, spacious,
simple to operate, good fuel consumption, blah blah blah...
That's okay if you using it as private family car. What happens now is that even the axio is a CAB now. The only difference is that it is powered by natural gas.
See, since time began, the cabs in Singapore are all dominated by big cars. The private version of the Toyota Crown is a 3000cc luxury saloon called Royal Crown. The Nissan Cedric is also a large car by any default. Even the old Toyota Corona isn't the typical average car in Singapore.
It feels like now smaller car can take the role of the bigger car. The next time your VIP is here, forget about an S-Class Merc or a 7-series. The Mini-Cooper can do the same job.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS!
My colleague who lives 'somewhere near AMK' was like going "...can't believe you would wait for a better cab like sonata...rather than to get any cab on the road"
Recently she had to go yishun to meet some friends after work and we happened to be in the same cab back. From town till AMK, it was quite okay for her but then after the Yio Chu Kang Exit on CTE, she was like going "hmmm...now I know why you would rather wait for the newer, more comfortable cab..."
We were in a Crown cab.
HAHA...FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS!!!
It is the time of the journey and the process of the journey that makes you want to wait for the cab that could send you home comfortable after a long day of work. You really dont want to irritated by the shooting and the screaming of the toyota engine as it propels through the expressway at a
110kmh. Someime, you really feel like telling the engine to SHUT UP, which is not possible, or ask the uncle
to drive slower, and risk a scolding from the uncle.
"Ah Di, time is money to me..."
Haizz....
Recently she had to go yishun to meet some friends after work and we happened to be in the same cab back. From town till AMK, it was quite okay for her but then after the Yio Chu Kang Exit on CTE, she was like going "hmmm...now I know why you would rather wait for the newer, more comfortable cab..."
We were in a Crown cab.
HAHA...FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS!!!
It is the time of the journey and the process of the journey that makes you want to wait for the cab that could send you home comfortable after a long day of work. You really dont want to irritated by the shooting and the screaming of the toyota engine as it propels through the expressway at a
110kmh. Someime, you really feel like telling the engine to SHUT UP, which is not possible, or ask the uncle
to drive slower, and risk a scolding from the uncle.
"Ah Di, time is money to me..."
Haizz....
Monday, April 14, 2008
Taxi Version Sport
I recently took a sonata cab that "was driven to its fullest potential". When I says that, I meant that the driver really went all the way to the redline. Shiok feeling I must say and it is something that I would like to experience again. The G-force that pushes you all the way to the back of the seat shows either the fact that the car is a powerful one or that your rear suspension is broken.
The force is to illustrate how power the sport car...wait...i mean taxi can get.
This brings me to the next point why must taxi be so powerful?
Yes, it has to be big for the lugguages and such, comfortable for service, automatic for driver convenience, ABS for safety but why of all thing power?
A vicky or a picanto is also powerful enough to transport 4 or 5 pax from point A to B.
Even a Chery QQ or most of the Made-in-China car can do the job well
So why is there a need for TURBODIESEL supercharged engine in our taxi-s today? It is not like diesel price is dropping or something. It is not like the taxi drivers need to engage in traffic lights races. It is not like modern engines are so weak that they cant move the mass.
The petroleum companies are the ultimate winners.
Taxi Version Sport - So fast that I almost have problems capturing it...
The force is to illustrate how power the sport car...wait...i mean taxi can get.
This brings me to the next point why must taxi be so powerful?
Yes, it has to be big for the lugguages and such, comfortable for service, automatic for driver convenience, ABS for safety but why of all thing power?
A vicky or a picanto is also powerful enough to transport 4 or 5 pax from point A to B.
Even a Chery QQ or most of the Made-in-China car can do the job well
So why is there a need for TURBODIESEL supercharged engine in our taxi-s today? It is not like diesel price is dropping or something. It is not like the taxi drivers need to engage in traffic lights races. It is not like modern engines are so weak that they cant move the mass.
The petroleum companies are the ultimate winners.
Taxi Version Sport - So fast that I almost have problems capturing it...
Monday, March 3, 2008
Uncle, I dun wanna take your Crown taxi
The number of varieties of the type of cars that is being used a taxi has been steadily increasing.
Apart from the thousands of crown taxi on the road, there are the luxurious mercedes E-class, the very powerfu skoda superb, the huge hyundai sonata, the underrated kia magentis, the very ancient nissan cedric as well as then spacious Vito This is what i call the common models. Then there are uncommon models like the honda stream / airwave, toyota wish / fielder / camry / axio / liteace, ssangyong rodius, fiat croma, peugeot partner, kia carnival / caren, hyundai azera, vw touran and the (one and only) volvo v70
A simple count by anyone will reveal that there are a total of more than 20 different type of taxi on Singapore road. As compared to 3 variant of toyota crown, corona and nissan cedric 10 yrs ago, this is a more than 600% increase.
Now that we the consumers (unless you are a taxi uncle) are spoilt for choice, will u deliberately wait and take a better taxi e.g. Merc as compared to a toyota when budget is not of a concern. Ie company trip, and you are not in a hurry.
Well, me and one of my friends actually answered yes to the questions. We are not close 'friends' of taxi uncles and yet we are so bored of the monotony of crown taxi on the road that we decide that the only way to show our displeasure is to boycott them. My friend who deliberately not take crown stopped for him made the remark that this (his actions of not wanting to take crown taxi) will tell the drivers to stop driving crown and change their ride.
Of course this would not make the taxi driver go and change his tool of survival but there is a increasingly loud voice that cabs are getting comfortable and we do not want to take those uncomfortable cab.
STOP Crown!
Apart from the thousands of crown taxi on the road, there are the luxurious mercedes E-class, the very powerfu skoda superb, the huge hyundai sonata, the underrated kia magentis, the very ancient nissan cedric as well as then spacious Vito This is what i call the common models. Then there are uncommon models like the honda stream / airwave, toyota wish / fielder / camry / axio / liteace, ssangyong rodius, fiat croma, peugeot partner, kia carnival / caren, hyundai azera, vw touran and the (one and only) volvo v70
A simple count by anyone will reveal that there are a total of more than 20 different type of taxi on Singapore road. As compared to 3 variant of toyota crown, corona and nissan cedric 10 yrs ago, this is a more than 600% increase.
Now that we the consumers (unless you are a taxi uncle) are spoilt for choice, will u deliberately wait and take a better taxi e.g. Merc as compared to a toyota when budget is not of a concern. Ie company trip, and you are not in a hurry.
Well, me and one of my friends actually answered yes to the questions. We are not close 'friends' of taxi uncles and yet we are so bored of the monotony of crown taxi on the road that we decide that the only way to show our displeasure is to boycott them. My friend who deliberately not take crown stopped for him made the remark that this (his actions of not wanting to take crown taxi) will tell the drivers to stop driving crown and change their ride.
Of course this would not make the taxi driver go and change his tool of survival but there is a increasingly loud voice that cabs are getting comfortable and we do not want to take those uncomfortable cab.
STOP Crown!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Honda Stream Spotted
Honda Stream Taxi spotted. Honda Taxi!!! Lucky driver...
Now, i am really hoping and looking forward to taking BMW cabs on the roads...If there are, I would be the first person who would submit an application for it...
Now, i am really hoping and looking forward to taking BMW cabs on the roads...If there are, I would be the first person who would submit an application for it...
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