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?

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)

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

One more SPOTTED

One more model of taxi spotted.

HONDA Stepwagon

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.