A recent incident involving a ComfortDelGro taxi driver has sparked outrage on social media, with a visitor to Singapore alleging that they were overcharged for a trip from a hotel in Novena to Changi Airport. The complainant, who is believed to be a non-local, took to Facebook to share their experience, claiming that the driver took a longer route than necessary, resulting in a significantly higher fare.
According to the complainant’s post, the journey, which should have taken approximately 20 minutes, took a staggering 40 minutes, with the taxi clocking a total distance of 39.2km. The fare for the trip came out to be S$37.75, including fees, which is substantially higher than what the complainant had expected to pay. The group had even confirmed with hotel staff prior to embarking on the trip that the distance to Changi Airport should be around 17.6km via the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) or 21.6km via the East Coast Parkway (ECP).
The passenger said:
ComfortDELGRO taxi driver scam: super long journey from hotel near Novena MRT to Changi Airport Terminal 3. Almost 40km.
This morning I took taxi number SHA7236R to the airport. I have checked with hotel, the journey is around 17.6km (via PIE) or 21.6 km (via ECP). However, the taxi driver took us to a 39.2km journey and 40 minutes drive (the normal one should be around 20-25 minutes). He charged me $37.75, almost double the time and amount that my other family member who took the same journey. I was traveling with 2 young kids, and was very disappointed to know there was such a taxi driver in Singapore.
The discrepancy in the route taken by the taxi driver was further highlighted by the fact that the group had split into two taxis, with the other taxi taking a more direct route to the airport. The complainant expressed their disappointment and frustration with the experience, stating that they were “very disappointed to know there was such a taxi driver in Singapore”.
The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many commenters attempting to guess the route taken by the taxi driver. Some have suggested that the driver may have taken a detour or made an extra stop, but the complainant has confirmed that this was not the case.
In response to the allegations, ComfortDelGro has issued a statement saying that they are aware of the incident and are currently investigating the matter. The company has assured the public that they are committed to fair and transparent pricing and that deliberately overcharging passengers is not acceptable. If the driver is found to have breached the company’s service standards, ComfortDelGro has promised to take appropriate disciplinary action.
This incident serves as a reminder to taxi drivers and companies of the importance of transparency and fairness in their pricing. With the rise of ride-hailing apps and other transportation options, taxi companies must ensure that they are providing a reliable and trustworthy service to their customers. The incident also highlights the need for passengers to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, particularly when traveling in unfamiliar cities.
As the investigation into this incident continues, it remains to be seen what action will be taken against the taxi driver and what measures ComfortDelGro will put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. One thing is certain, however – the public will be watching closely to see how this situation is resolved.