STOMPer Sam says this cabby was rude to him on account of his crying three-year-old son, even threatening to drop him off halfway at one point.
Following Sam's complaint made to Comfort Delgro, they have since terminated his hiring contract after their investigation found the driver 'sorely lacking in customer service skills'.
The STOMPer commented:
"I would like to bring your attention of to this cabby'sunacceptable behavior and attitude towards my family which ruined our beautiful precious Sunday (Sep 30).
"After a fun-filled and tiring day at East Coast Park, we ended our morning at Parkway Parade for lunch and when we decided to go home we noticed that the
queue at the taxi stand is very long hence decided to book a taxi. We managed to book a cab and looked forward to heading home to rest.
"Shortly after we boarded, my son started crying due to some reason (parents should understand this).
"While my wife and I were trying to pacify our son, suddenly we heard the cabby say the following to us in a very rude, irritated & loudtone and manner:
'CAN YOU CONTROL YOUR CHILD AND NOT LET HIM CRY!'
"We were very shocked to hear that from a cabby, as we were already trying very hard to pacify ourtired and fussy son and still had to manage the cabby's horrible attitude.
"I asked the cabby what he meant bythat, as it didn't make any sense to say that at all. How can someone stop a child from crying? How to control?
Using a remote control with an off/on button option? "The cabby rebutted by saying that the crying sound of my son was causing his ears pain and claimed that he has ear problems.
"After that he continued to argue with us and said'YOUR SON IS FOUR YEARS OLD AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTROL HIM NOT TO CRY!'
"To begin with, my son isa three-year-old plus preschooler, not four. In any case, whatever age my son is has nothing to do with the cabby.
"The cabby even had the intention of dropping us off halfway through the journey, but I insisted he bring us to our destination.
"Upon reaching our destination (Parkway Parade to Geylang Serai), I paid for my fare and told him that I would lodge a complaint against him and got off the cab.
The cabby got off the taxi and challenged me, ask me to leave my contact number so we could go to the LTA together.
"I felt threatened, as he was behaving like a hooligan! At that point in time I was very worried about my personal safety!
"I responded that I would lodge a complain against him and walked off to avoid further arguing in case he couldn't manage his anger and harmed me in any way.
"I have nothing against taxi drivers and have met many nice ones, I even have a few relatives who are taxi drivers with good track records and awards.
This type of behavior is totally unacceptable and cannot be condone! If he has any medical problems with his ears or any other health conditions, he should stay
at home or change his job as he will continueto hear the crying of a child regardless of age again as it is common.
"I pity and worry for the next parent with a crying child that's going to board his taxi.What ifother passengers'child is more spiritedthan mine?
Or in most unfortunate case, autistic? What if it's a child who's crying non-stop due to being unwell? How can a driver discriminate against passengers?"
A spokesperson for Comfort Delgro wrote to the STOMPer following his complaint:
"Following your complaint with our CSC on Sep 30, an investigation was conducted.
"We have found our driver to be sorely lacking in customer service skills and indeed find his behaviour to be bordering on hooliganism.
"This is not something we condone at all. As such, we have decided to terminate his hiring agreement with us.
"Please accept my deepest apologies for the grief that has been caused."
-- Edited by ProTaxi on Wednesday 3rd of October 2012 07:38:13 AM
