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http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Free/Story/STIStory_176526.html
Nov 14, 2007
By Jessica Lim

AFTER each 10-hour workday, cabby Adi Negara jabs at a button on his fare meter to check his day's takings. It is usually around $180.

But after deducting his running costs, the 48-year-old is left with $100. He has to stretch that to feed a wife and four children aged 13 to 22,

but he sleeps easy each night knowing it was honestly earned. Not a cent of that comes from touting, which is why the taxi driver with 11 years'

experience welcomes the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) stiffer penalties for errant drivers. From Monday, cabbies who tout, overcharge or

refuse to pick up passengers will be dealt higher fines, more demerit points or suspensions, and may even lose their licences. But Mr Adi realises

the stiffer penalties are a double-edged sword: He worries that he may be suspended for two weeks if commuters complain to the LTA about

his refusing to pick them up. He said: 'Sometimes we cannot stop at some areas. Customers don't understand that and might complain.

I am afraid that will happen.' If a suspension comes to pass, his family would go without money for food for that period of time.
His concerns have deepened with the rising cost of diesel. Of his gross daily takings of $180, about $30 goes to fuel.

This is $5 more than a year ago. Another $47 pays for the rental of the taxi, and $4 to get the vehicle cleaned.
Although home is a four-room flat in Marsiling, he is struggling with his family's daily expenses. After paying for utility bills, conservancy charges,

food and allowances for the family, $15 is all he has left. Still, he is determined to steer clear of touting. Recalling one evening when he picked up

four tourists from Orchard Towers, he said he stunned them by turning on his meter. He said: 'They were so surprised because they were charged

$80 from the same place just the night before. They gave me a $7 tip. I felt warm inside.' He added: 'These touts, they soil the name of us good

taxi drivers out there. The harsh penalties are good. Old habits die hard but this will deter some of them.'