Taxi fare hikes

There has been talks recently on errant taxi drivers who tout, refuse to send customers from point A to point B simply because the distance was too near and lots more other things that customers were not happy with.

The LTA (Land Tranpsort Authority) also made themselves visible by getting mystery customers to catch these errant taxi drivers. They need to be seen as doing something to solve the problem.

What was all this hype for? To slowly make known to the public that taxi operators are going to increase the taxi fares. At first, there was this debate going on as to whether or not there should be surcharge during hours or that taxi operators should just increase the basic starting fare and do away with surcharges completely.

Slowly but surely, there were then reports on taxi operators saying that fuel prices have gone up so high that it is harder and harder to maintain low fares.

Then of course, it is out in the open now. Today, ComfortDelgro announced that there is going to be a fare increment. So much for being customer-oriented, which personally, I think they never were.

Oh, and what a time to announce the fare hike. It is less than a month to Christmas, where the whole world is out and about. All that we are paying does not even guarantee us good service at all times!

Lots of comments from public. Lots of complaints and noise, but as always, once it is a go for these people (be it bus fares or any other policies) there is no turning back. One can whine all they want but it is pointless.

Instead of complaining, why not be a smart consumer? You know you can't change the situation, so change your mindset! Isn't that what Stephen Covey was trying to tell all in his book "7 Habits of Highly Efficient People"? "Shift your paradigm".

How? Don't take taxis. Take the bus or MRT instead. Yes, you walk more and perspire more. It might mean the risk of ruining your make-up or even your high heels (which was what happened to me) but you can then spend your money elsewhere and not worry about your pocket running dry quickly. Besides, walking is a form of exercise too. You can then be fitter without having to pay for gym membership.

Plan in such a way that your activity is near a bus or MRT that can take you home conveniently. Don't stay out too late. Catch the last bus or train home. At least then, you don't need to pay for mid-night surcharge.

Well, at least, that is what I am going to do as I feel that actions speak louder than words. I am not going to pay for a service that will sometimes spoil my mood and cause me to end up feeling angry. I will also not pay for service whereby I become the victim and get scolded by the taxi driver. I don't need them to be patronising but at least have some basic manners.

As for those who think that you cannot live without this type of luxury, then you may want to give yourself a little wake-up call. There is no such thing as 'cannot go back to that kind lifestyle'. We humans are very resilient and adaptable creatures (as I have found out myself). It is just a matter of will power - a matter of 'want to, or not'.