Compulsory taxi driving

The cries are getting louder with the new fare hike. But that is something that must be done. Other than the fuel hike there is also a need to cut down on the number of taxis on the road. And we need to increase the number of commuters using public transport to generate more income to improve the system. The net effect will be lesser taxis on the road and more people using public transport. It is an objective that we are trying to achieve all these years. So it is a good thing. There is a possibility that things may go a bit too far when the demand for taxis drops dramatically and too many taxi drivers may quit. So it may be a good thing to make taxi driving compulsory for those above 55 and who are jobless. They can pay the monthly rentals from their money locked up in the CPF. We can then be guaranteed of a ready pool of drivers to keep the taxi operation running smoothly and efficiently. It is good for the taxi operators as their taxis will be fully rented out and payment from CPF is prompt. And many of the unemployed will be employed. Commuters too will get the taxis they want.

Up, up and up

School bus will cost between $5 to $10 more next month. And parents are complaining. How unreasonable with the high fuel cost and drivers needing more income to pay for the high cost of living. And Chek Jawa trip is not going to be free anymore. It will cost $60 for a group tour. How could they ever conduct tours for free? The thought that they had done it for free earlier is so ridiculous. How could Singaporeans work for free? It is sinful to do that.

Straits Times agrees with Redbean

I read the ST Editorial today and it said that the paper agrees to a big bang approach on taxi fare hike to $7-$10 flag down rate and remove all the other charges. I too suggested this with as a tongue in cheek proposal. Looks like the taxi companies are going to adopt the little increments, bit by bit, so that it is not so painful approach. I think they should go for the big whack as people who can afford taxi fares can afford to absorb big hikes compare to the poorer mrt and bus commuters. Hey, as some have said, taxi is a luxury item. Fear not. Make them pay.

UNSW and EDB reached an agreement.

This is being reported in the msm today. After reading the article, could not find a clue what agreement was reached. Who pays what or concede to pay what, not a single thing was mentioned. Would the public get to know what was agreed? Or we are supposed to accept that an agreement was reached and need not have to know any details?

How will hikes help?

This is the heading of an article by Leong Wee Keat in Today paper. I think it will help a lot. First, some to the commuters will switch to mrt and buses. So there will be lesser demand for taxis. But this will not affect the taxi drivers' income as the hike will ensure that they get more per trip. As there will be less users, more will give up driving taxis. So road congestion will be lesser. And stock prices of MRT and Singapore Bus should go up accordingly. And more of these taxi drivers can return to the job market. Isn't that good?