A STOMPer said that a taxi driver told her not give him directions, despite the fact that he did not know the way and had claimed that he was a new driver.
Said the STOMPer: "I had a horrible experience with TransCab recently. "About two weeks ago, I boarded a Chrysler TransCab at the Singapore Flyer.
"I requested the driver, who was an Indian man, to drive to Hougang Avenue 2. "The driver claimed that he was a new driver and did not know the
way, so I gave him directions, telling him to take the ECP followed by KPE. The driver was uncertain of the roads. Along the way, because he was
in the middle lane of the KPE, he could not use the Upper Paya Lebar road exit. "I then asked him to take the Bartley Road exit, where it's possible to
exit via Defu Lane and Hougang Avenue 3. "He claimed that there was no U-turn available for him to turn. He then tried to turn on his GPS, all this
time driving on. "The driver was then unhappy and told me that I should have let him make the decision and not tell him what to do.
"While trying to explain to him that it was because he was unfamiliar with the route thus I made the suggestion, he drove onto the TPE ramp.
"I immediately told him to get off the TPE and make a U-turn as my house was in the opposite direction. "I also informed him that I had wanted to
alight since he didn't know the way. "He then told me that it was dark (it was drizzling that night) and he could not see and that he would drop
me off at the nearest bus stop. "However, because there was no bus stop in sight and since I knew the way, I decided to continue the journey
and give him directions. "He kept asking repeatedly if he should follow my directions or follow the GPS. "His GPS said "make a u-turn here" but the
road sign clearly said "no u-turn". "This is why I concluded that the GPS instruction should not be followed. "I finally directed him to my intended
destination after insisting he get off the TPE at the nearest exit. "At that time, the fare was close to $30. "He told me 'just pay me whatever you want.'
"We were both unhappy and I paid the driver $20 and got off in anger. "I also had to get a family member to wait for me downstairs as I felt unsafe
and that the driver was unhappy. "Is this how male taxi drivers treat their female customers? "Did he not make an effort to listen to me just because I'm a girl?
"I am very much upset by this incident. "As much as we passengers should give new drivers a chance, arguing with the passenger and refusing to
take their suggestions is not fair. "We choose to take taxis over other forms of transport for a reason."It is the responsibility of the driver to clarify
the destination and route and not insisting on who is right or wrong. "It also results in extra fares which could have been avoided in the first place.
"This isn't just about the money - it's about the service. "I have written in to TransCab but I have not heard from them at all.
"I am utterly disappointed with the service of TransCab."...
