11/04/2007

Root of taxi touting problem

We have heard all the anger in display on what to do with taxi touts. Can we ask what is the root to all these problems? Cost of living? High cost of operation? Trying to earn a little more, something similar to corruption? Inefficient taxi operator systems or inequitable pay to the taxi drivers? We have heard and experienced the high cost of living. It is no longer a joke. And the govt is doing everything it could to curb the losing value of the dollar or pay. Huge payrises are the solutions. But not many people are getting the payrise. The self employed will be hardest hit. And taxi drivers are one of them. We may want to use the same rationale and assumptions to solve the touting problem like we solved the corruption problem. Pay them well, so that they will not resort to touting. And there will be better quality of drivers coming into the professions. The graduates too can consider driving taxi as a living. We will have plenty of them when the fourth university is in operation. And everyone stand to benefit, the commuters, especially the tourists, will be awed by the high calibre of our taxi drivers. The latter too will be happy with the high income. Now compare this with the 70 plus trishaw uncle that should be at home enjoying the grandchildren instead of struggling with his trishaw to pull two huge europeans and be humiliated for a few dollars. The trishaw profession, if not restructured, is a shame to this country. Our octogenarians ended up plying the streets soliciting unruly passengers. Not much different from prostitutions.

5 comments:

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

Who said taxi touting is a "problem"?

Don't be a scare-monger lah. so there have been a few cases?

So what?

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

obviously you have not been reading the local papers. many pages were devoted to this issue. and many officers were deployed in the enforcement team and many were arrested.

Anonymous said...

What if those touts target rude tourists who take advantage of our elderly who are simply trying to earn a living through honest mean?

Does it make them taking the law into their own hands?

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

we are a nation where the rule of law is supreme. if the touts hit the tourists for a little of street justice, they will still be hauled up by the law. unless they can claim self defence.

welcome to the blog, wishbone.

the poor trishaw uncle could only sue the tourist louts if he has the means. i don't think our law will step it as it is their personal matter. no physical harm and not a seizable offence.

just too bad, ah pek. he should be sleeping at home or enjoying his retirement.

Anonymous said...

who fault for taxi touting problems? The high cost of living & every damn things have rised after another increased of 2% GST. Indeed, not everyone like those lucky star earning millions of dollar.
Sad to say this nation are belong to the riches, the poor & middle income are the worst suffering groups, Mr matilah_singapura please stop saying our taxi fare with sub-charges are damn cheap, with your high paying good luck to you, please remember they are plenty of people could not met end needs, pls...