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SINGAPORE: On the first day of the work week since the change kicked in, cabbies and commuters alike did not seem to have bought into the new rule that taxis can stop for passengers only at taxi stands and building driveways in the Central Business District.
Taxi drivers were seen picking up and dropping off passengers along Bras Basah Road at 2pm on Monday, three days after the rule was introduced on Saturday. The rule applies every day from 7am to 10pm, except on Sundays and public holidays.
Outside Hitachi Tower, a previously popular spot for hailing cabs along Collyer Quay, TODAY observed — within a span of 15 minutes — 10 commuters attempting to flag one down along the main road. While some taxis drove by, at least five stopped to pick up or allow passengers to alight.
Since Saturday, Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers have warned at least 92 taxi drivers who violated the new ruling.
One in two commuters TODAY spoke to said they were not aware of the new rule. Many grumbled about the hassle.
Secretary Jessie Lum, 38, said: "The purpose of taking a taxi is for my convenience. Otherwise, I might as well take a train or a bus if I have to walk far to reach a taxi stand."
SMRT taxi driver P S Velan, 34, said passengers still demanded to alight at their preferred spots. "This is especially so on rainy days, where some taxi stands can be quite a distance from sheltered areas."
Another problem is that not all taxi stands allow queues, he said. Some allowed up to only two vehicles at any one time.
Some passengers were furious when told of the new rule. Trans-cab taxi driver Tang Kian Cheong, 63, told TODAY in some instances commuters threw the money at the cabbies and got out at a traffic light as they did not want to alight too far away from their destination.
"Passengers insist on stopping where they choose but, in the end, we taxis drivers are the ones who risk being fined. Some quarrel with us, saying they pay so much, yet have to walk so far," recounted an annoyed CityCab taxi driver, Mr Richard Low, 60.
But he was concerned about one passenger — "an old lady with a walking stick" — who alighted at a stand far from where she wanted to go. Mr Low suggested that the LTA allowed taxi commuters to be let off at small lanes with less traffic.
An LTA spokesperson said the rules should be followed even on rainy days or other special circumstances for they are "in the interest of the passengers' safety".
Associate manager David Soh, 51, pointed out that wheelchair-bound passengers might not always be able to access taxi stands.
Group corporate communications officer for ComfortDelGro Corporation Tammy Tan said drivers had highlighted several anticipated problems, including disagreements with customers about being dropped off at taxi stands on rainy days and those who are physically-challenged.
"We are working closely with the LTA and the taxi associations with regard to these issues and seek the understanding of passengers with regard to the need to board and alight at taxi stands," she said.
Taxi drivers who breach the rules under the new scheme face a $100 fine and three demerit points.
- TODAY/so
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