SINGAPORE: Some taxi drivers said they would still not make the extra effort to drive to these remote locations, but others welcomed the permanent surcharges on rides from Changi Airport and Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
One taxi driver remarked, “I wouldn’t go to Mandai just for S$5 (US$3.70).” Following taxi companies’ announcement that the temporary increase in surcharges for these locations would become permanent as of July 1, the drivers spoke with CNA.
ComfortDelGro and Strides Premier announced the permanent surcharge on their Facebook pages on Monday, June 24. Trans-Cab and Prime Taxi also confirmed this to the media on Monday.
Before being extended, the S$8 daily surcharge for taxi rides from Changi Airport between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and S$6 at all other times was initially implemented in May 2022.
Starting on July 1, the S$3 temporary surcharge will become a S$5 permanent fee for rides from the Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari, and Bird Paradise during daily trips between 1pm and 11.59pm. Agreeing, taxi driver Leong Yew Chye said that most visitors at the wildlife attractions want to take a cab home is about 5pm to 6pm, which is also when it is lucrative for taxi drivers to head to the city to pick up the post-work crowd.
Also Read:
Craft Beer Market facing difficulties as Singapore’s Archipelago Withdraws