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?