Dear TRS,
I understand not all taxi drivers are bad, but as many as 30% of them are bastards. These 30% are the social failures, the so call problematic group who can't assimilate into society. That why they ended up working for themselves as taxi driver. Its a disgrace that these outcast remain in our society. Their refusal to change and they attitudes towards people are damaging Singapore's reputation. Because of them, foreigners and tourists misunderstood Singaporeans' behavior.
There are many incidents which I will quote only a few,
1) I was riding a motorcycle on a wet day, as I approached a bend, I reduced my speed to 30kmh. Then I notice on my mirror that a yellow cab was only a meter behind me as I tackle the bend. Angry at his inconsiderate tailgating, I voice out my displeasure at the next traffic stop, expecting him to say sorry or something like that, but instead he told me if i slipped, then i'm fated to die. I lost for words.
2) I was driving at the third lane, a taxi was on the second lane few meters ahead of me. Suddenly, he cut into my lane abruptly and jammed brake. Someone had just flagged his taxi. I braked just in time and gave him a piece of my mind when I stopped beside him. He took out his handphone to take images of me. I was so mad, I believe if a hammer was around, I would have flung it at him.
3) I was in a taxi waiting to be alighted at the taxi stand next to plaza Singapura, in front of me was another empty taxi. Suddenly the driver in front winded down his window and litter his rubbishes onto the road. Its not one item, its several rubbishes. Even my driver shake his head in astonishment and said, "aiyo". Later, I caught a glimpse of his face, moody white hair old man in his late sixties.
4) I was the first car at a traffic junction and I was distracted by my GPS routes and i didn't notice that the light had turned green. Suddenly I heard a loud and long honk follow by my car shaking. I turned around and saw the taxi behind was using his bumper to push my vehicle. I have no choice but to alight to check my vehicle, the taxi changed lane and gave me the middle finger before moving off. I guess he was too skillful, there was no scratches on my back bumper.
5) I was waiting for cab on a side road, next to me was a handicap. Although I came first, I let them go first as there was a handicap in their group. A taxi came and drove passed the handicap to me, even though I didn't raise my hand. I point to the handicap and said, they are first. the taxi driver close up his window and drove off. I was stunned.
6) I was in a taxi when I realise there was a wallet, possible from the last passenger. I passed the wallet to the taxi driver, but he refused to take. He said that since I found it in his taxi, there was a conflict of interest and told me to bring it to the police station. Out of goodwill for the owner, I took it to the police post near my home, and there I meant another taxi driver and ask him why was there a conflict of interest? He told me I was taken for a ride. First taxi driver are responsible for any lost items inside their taxi. He made me return it so that he can save the two hours time for making a police report on the lost item.
There are still many many incidents regarding ugly taxi drivers. but ultimately, its not all of them, but only a handful of them damaging the reputation of the entire taxi fleet.
Aaron
TRS Contributor