In the TODAY Newspaper edition on 9 July 2007, the report noted that 3 in 4 tourists (out of a sample size of 100) are happy with the taxi system here in terms of waiting time. That’s right, you are probably one of those feeling me right now..”WTF was that about?!!” I know, we all had our nightmares especially during peak hours..(dear God..it is even haunting me now as I type this), so lets check out what TODAY has to say:
Getting a cab? Easy, say 3 in 4 tourists – Taken from Today Online
DESPITE the brickbats from locals and the occasional foreign letter-writer for their alleged disappearing acts during peak hours, Singapore’s taxi drivers didn’t fare too badly in a Today poll of 100 tourists.
About 74 per cent of them gave the thumbs-up for the taxi system here where waiting time is concerned, saying they found it “easy” or “very easy” to get a taxi here.
The street poll was conducted last month in various locations — including Orchard, City Hall, Harbourfront, Chinatown and Clarke Quay — during peak and off-peak hours.
In recent weeks, tourists have joined locals in griping about the taxi system here, with most pointing to the city’s peculiar cab-booking system and endless queues at taxi stands.
However, our poll showed that over half the tourists surveyed — or 54 per cent — did not have to wait longer than five minutes for a taxi. Ten tourists endured waits of more than half an hour before they finally got a taxi, while 36 tourists reported average waiting times of about 10 minutes or more.
“I think it’s very easy getting a taxi here compared to in New Zealand,” said Madam Rose Lavery, who was in Singapore for five days. “In fact, I’ve always managed to get a cab immediately, or probably in less than five minutes!”
Still, one in five respondents found waiting times — which varied from 10 minutes to 45 minutes — unacceptable.
Said Mr Shi Hong Bing, who is from China: “Back home, you can get a taxi immediately.”
Others like Ireland’s Mr Shawn MacDonald said the expectations of a world-class shopping belt like Orchard Road should come complete with top-notch taxi services. “A couple of times, I’ve waited for a cab for more than 20 minutes. That is just not acceptable.”
Some also compared the wait for cabs here with other shopping destinations.
American visitor Megan Jackson said: “In Hong Kong, the taxis queue for customers, in Singapore, it is the other way round.”
Many tourists — even those who rated Singapore positively — noticed that it was tough getting taxis during peak hours.
Mr Peter McNaughton from Australia said: “I see a lot of empty taxis during peak hours but they’re mostly booked! I see people calling for cabs along taxi stands — what is the use of the stands, then?”
Also, despite the phone numbers for taxi companies painted on the taxis, seven in 10 tourists had no idea what to do if they were unable to find a taxi.
Most polled agree that cab information could be more conspicuous.
“If you are a tourist, it’s not easy to know where you can get a taxi from, because the stands are hidden (in some places), and it’s not clear where you are allowed to flag from the street,” said Mr John Dickinson from the United Kingdom.
In October and November last year, the Land Transport Authority conducted a survey of waiting times at 30 major taxi stands in Singapore.
The results — released in February this year — revealed that on average, most commuters take from two to 14 minutes to get a taxi in the city area, even during the evening peak hours. But some taxi stands in the Orchard area — such as at Ngee Ann City and Paragon — were problem areas, with waiting times stretching to 45 minutes.
The situation improved in November, and collaborations with the Ngee Ann City management to improve traffic conditions in the area have yielded results, it said.
Service is also an important part of the tourist’s experience.
“The drivers here seem more honest. In Thailand (for example), you don’t feel so safe. But the Singaporean cabbies drive too fast, like maniacs. They could work on that,” said Mr Scott Williams, an American here on a two-week holiday.
-end of article-
Alrightee, here we go..as a very regular’ish taxi commuter for a looong time, I would have to say that I kinda disagree with the reporters. However, I have taken into consideration that they were targeting at tourists, not locals, who probably have been visiting for a week, a month, or so. Yeah I guess perhaps the tourists have not felt our pain and frankly I am glad their experience so far with taxis have been rather pleasant.
BUT..as Singaporeans, I think the taxi system here sucks donkey balls (as how my sister would have put it). Inefficient, choosy, reckless, unethical…yes the list goes on…though I am just generalising. Sure I would love to yammer endlessly citing stories from my bottomless barrel of taxi nightmares, but I am very very sure you all have your stories to tell and we are all sick of it.
Having said that, the results from the survey could perhaps point out new findings. Perhaps taxi drivers prefer tourists for their generous tips, pleasant conversation and maybe convenient drop-off points so they can pick up other passengers. Or could it be the fast-paced culture we are living in that makes those in Singapore a little more irritable or spoilt?
Ugghh..think I am going to rant on and on…so I’d better end it fast. All I can say is that people in Singapore are not getting much love from taxi drivers out there. And if I may be honest, I seriously doubt there will be an improvement anytime soon. Not because the taxi companies can’t do anything about it but rather their unwillingness to step in and shake things in place. So guess we’ll just have to live with it… 
P.S: Dear taxi companies, please remove the ridiculous booking systems. Its killing us.
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