Singapore Taxi Crisis
I’m an international student (m17) living in singapore. I just came on here to vent my frustrations so apologies if my grammar is bad.
It’s been about 5 months and Ive had enough. Every other morning I wake up at 5am to do sports practice at school at 6am.
Unfortunately the first MRT doesn’t reach my nearest station early enough so I have to take taxi.
I for the past 5 or so months taxi prices have just skyrocketed with my journey now costing 2-3 times more than it used to.
and the worst part? I still can’t get one. i feel like everytime i try to get a taxi i’m stuck waiting on my phone for 30 mins and even if i do get one , it’s 10+ minutes away.
how is this possible? i don’t understand how it has gotten so much worse. if someone knows why taxis have been so difficult lately please, enlighten me or share alternative taxi apps.
Netizens’ comments
- Reach school at 6am?u need to sleep more
- Because nobody wants to drive taxis/private hire at that hour but many people want a ride at that hour. Taxi/Private hire drivers are not bus drivers, they have the freedom to decide when to start and stop work. In the end it’s just supply and demand not favouring you.
- I don’t get it. If you are international student, why not shift nearer to your school. Paying 300-500 more stay nearer to your school will save you 10 to 20 taxi ride. If you are doing this for the past 5 months. You are probably saving the taxi fare. Also I don’t get why you need to be in school at 6am. I don’t think there’s any school open that early. Even my friend who worked as teacher, reached school around 7. Maybe give yourself a break and don’t need to be thatbearly bird. Unless of course you can afford the ride.
- .1) You should have picked your residential place wisely. Location has always been something very crucial in a city environment. It is not a Singapore problem. Do consider a nearer location.
.2) Singapore is a city and a country both at the same time, hence, it is impossible to have a 24/7 non-stop flow of people. Somewhere, sometime, people have to rest. 5am is very much a timing where a really low proportion of people awake.
.3) Most Grab drivers start(day drivers) or end shift(night drivers) at this golden hour of 6-7am. You are caught in the transitionary period.
Anyhow, 6am call time seems ridiculous. I think that really is the issue and there are definitely ways around it without having to cab or actually be training this early.