Surviving Singapore Taxis

Coming from Malaysia, Singapore taxis are probably the best thing that happens from moving here. Though being great and dandy, on closer scrutiny, these taxis also have their eccentricity that warrants me writing about it. First of all, don’t bother trying to flag any taxis after 800pm because they’re in what we call the hiding mode. When I actually speak to them, the reason is because its off-peak (SGD1) and no more CBD charges (SGD1), they tend to rest up. The reason they rest up is because they are waiting for people like us to call them. Whenever we make a call, SGD4 will be charged (used to be SGD3.50) and that’s why you can see poor travelers hoping they will get a cab when they finish shopping at 930pm. Tough luck! The worst is at about 1100pm, even calling would not get you a cab because they are waiting for midnight rate but once midnight rate kicks in, you’ll see all the taxis on the road waiting for your business. How nice … Secondly, taxis have the tendency to hog traffic lights. If you notice between 3 lanes that goes to the same way, all the taxis tend to take the longest lane so they wouldn’t make the light and can hog your fare longer. There are amateurs who purposely drive at very low speed when approaching traffic light in the hope it will change to red. On the other hand, the professionals can gauge and work out appropriately so you don’t feel they are trying to slow down. With all their ways to make more money, I must say that you’ll generally feel safe in a Singapore taxi and they don’t smell as bad as the Malaysian counterpart. So, still taxis for me except need to watch over the traffic lights.