$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...