SINGAPORE: The SMRT Taxi Operators Association says it is waiting for feedback from its members first before deciding if and when to bring up the issue of the recent fare hikes within the association.

Some taxi drivers and most commuters have been unhappy with the higher cab fares, which were introduced last month.

Abdul Halid Zumat has been driving a taxi for three years.

He used to earn around $200 in each shift, but that has dropped by about $50, as he has fewer passengers since taxi fares were raised in December.

So Mr Abdul Halid has come up with an idea, which he believes will benefit both commuters and cab drivers.

His suggestion - change the flag-down rate.

"From $2.50, make it $3.50 - one-dollar (increase) and the rest, status quo. Don't have the 35%. This 35%, the public doesn't know, really. They thought that the increase hits their pocket," said Mr Abdul Halid, referring to the 35% of the metered fare levied for peak hour travel.

Like Mr Abdul Halid, some taxi drivers would like a meeting with the Taxi Operators' Association (TOA), which represents the six taxi operators in Singapore.

The main agenda - to assess if the current fare structure is the best for the drivers.

Meanwhile, SMART Cab Operators' Association says it has not received any feedback on the call for a return to the old $2 peak period surcharge.

Its president, Chia Hock Peng, said that if it does get such a feedback, the association will forward it to its executive secretary Chan Meng Dong and Seng Han Tong, its adviser and MP for Yio Chu Kang.

As for Singapore's largest taxi operator, ComfortDelGro, it has not revealed if it too is planning to meet its own Comfort Taxi Operators' Association about the recent rise in taxi fares.

The TOA says in an email that it is still monitoring the situation, adding that it wants to give the new fare hikes some time before reaching any conclusions. - CNA/ir