Sunday, June 03, 2007

Reduce demand for taxis

It is expensive to take a taxi in Singapore. A short trip in the business district can cost $10.

The high taxi fares is due to the following:

* it is expensive to operate a taxi, due to high rental, ERP and other charges
* there is heavy demand for taxis

Why is there a heavy demand?

Many people find it difficult to take a bus. They may know their regular bus service to their home or workplace, but they usually do not know how to take a bus to other destinations. They have to rely on taxis.

What is the solution?

I suggest that local services should be introduced to move commuters within a town (or the business district) and to the nearby MRT station or bus terminus.

For example, a town like Ang Mo Kio could be served by 4 local services (A, B, C and D). It is easy to display the maps of the local services at the bus stops. The business district could also be served by a few local services.

It is time to re-think our public transport system.

3 comments:

  1. You complained a few times about expensive taxi fares. Have you tried taking taxi in Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, Melbourne, Sydney or even Hong Kong? Singapore is a global city. Our taxi fare is comparatively cheap.

    If you find taxi fare too expsensive for you, you don't have to use them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it was a need for taxi, and not demand, that caused a demand for it.

    Another thing is that taxi is another mode of public transport. It should not be taken to perceive as a private tranport - as suggested and perceived by MIW Lim Hwee Hua.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it was a need for taxi, and not demand, that caused a demand for it.

    Another thing is that taxi is another mode of public transport. It should not be taken to perceive as a private tranport - as suggested and perceived by MIW Lim Hwee Hua.

    ReplyDelete