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Chiku · A Forum Mentor

can you choose the taxi stand?

Taxilim · A Forum Supporter

Prohibition on refusal to convey passenger

25.No taxi driver shall, without reasonable excuse, refuse to hire out his taxi or convey any passenger for the purpose of gain.

This is the closest relevant act. If you pass by a taxi stand, there is a queue with no taxis waiting and you skip the stand whilst your taxi is in 'for hire' mode, then it can be interpreted as you refusing to hire out your taxi. Ppl at taxi stand do not need to wave their hand to stop a taxi. The very fact that they queue at the stand means that they are waiting to hire a taxi, especially in the CBD where you cannot suka suka pick up pax except at taxi stands from 7.30am to 8pm along roads where buses ply.

-- Edited by Taxilim on Tuesday 12th of November 2013 01:53:17 AM

Chiku · A Forum Mentor

Recently, we had a discussion on Parlingo if we can choose the taxi stands we wanna go. I wrote to LTA and this is the response from LTA...

I wanna post this on parlingo but dont know how to do it?

Screen shot 2013-11-11 at PM 10.57.42.png

taxiuncle · Senior Guru

i think this rule is a prevention to deter drivers who skip the TS becos he spots a waiting pax on wheelchair. biggrin

lazybone · A Forum Mentor

LTA is giving a template reply.

Often is the pax that choose taxi.
Ppl in front of the q taking the fourth or fifth taxi in the q is common.
LTA can't do anything. For info pax got the right to choose. Taxi driver can't choose pax.

Don't waste time writing to them.

Niteowl · A Forum Mentor

especailly if u are a mercedes, chrysler or crown..pax will skip

Taxilim · A Forum Supporter

Chiku wrote:
So if we can choose the taxi stand we fancy, they cannot fine us right?
Anyway, I have written back and asked them to quote the relevant section of the law.

-- Edited by Chiku on Tuesday 12th of November 2013 01:12:53 AM

Aiyoh, Siao liao Lah... Now they make it become law...

Chiku · A Forum Mentor

Niteowl, the pax has the right to choose due to the different pricing. That was how the different pricing started i.e. taxi companies fix their own pricing but at the end, monkey see monkey do

Lazybone, my point here is not pax choosing but cabby has the freedom to choose the TS (not the pax). Apparently cabbies had been caught (not sure if they were penalised) for bypassing a certain taxi stand. If there is not legislation that governs this, LTA has not right to penalise us, hence we can contest.

Chiku · A Forum Mentor

Taxilim, if they make is law and penalise us then i kam guan. But if they suka suka pemalise us then not right lor

Niteowl · A Forum Mentor

so far i don't think there is any laws that says we need to go into a taxi stand if ply the route and see a pax in the taxi stand/stop or PU/DO

lazybone · A Forum Mentor

Rom wrote:
I guess you understand the first paragraph of the reply. In regards to the second paragraph, Taxilim's reply has answered to your question.

In addition, if you are in favor lane (meaning the lane just beside the TS) to enter the TS, without having any hassle or obstruction, TD are suppose to enter the TS & pickup the pax in Q. In the scenario if you choose to by-pass the TS & pickup any pax after the TS, AND in the situation where the pax from the TS lodge a complain against you for doing that, companies will go under investigation on that.

I'll just state another real life example for information:
TD saw pax A & don't wish to pick him up, TD quickly put up a busy sign. Just after passing by pax A, TD saw pax B not far a head & he decided to pick him up. He changed back the "For Hire" sign & stop by pax B. Pax A saw this, noted down the taxi number & took a photo. Pax A lodge a complain to the taxi company & the TD kena warning for doing that.

There are many ways against us TD and of course, do it right and cover yourself. In the end of the day, we just want to earn a living and try our best to avoid any accident, including trouble. All the best :)

There was a case sometime ago in the paper. Taxi driver did not stop when flagged.

Pax lodge a complain. Taxi co. found out ... that taxi driver starts meter less than 200 mtrs away.

Regardless of what sign taxi driver put. This is a clear cut case.

-- Edited by lazybone on Tuesday 12th of November 2013 02:49:09 PM

Rom · A Forum Mentor

I guess you understand the first paragraph of the reply. In regards to the second paragraph, Taxilim's reply has answered to your question.

In addition, if you are in favor lane (meaning the lane just beside the TS) to enter the TS, without having any hassle or obstruction, TD are suppose to enter the TS & pickup the pax in Q. In the scenario if you choose to by-pass the TS & pickup any pax after the TS, AND in the situation where the pax from the TS lodge a complain against you for doing that, companies will go under investigation on that.

I'll just state another real life example for information:
TD saw pax A & don't wish to pick him up, TD quickly put up a busy sign. Just after passing by pax A, TD saw pax B not far a head & he decided to pick him up. He changed back the "For Hire" sign & stop by pax B. Pax A saw this, noted down the taxi number & took a photo. Pax A lodge a complain to the taxi company & the TD kena warning for doing that.

There are many ways against us TD and of course, do it right and cover yourself. In the end of the day, we just want to earn a living and try our best to avoid any accident, including trouble. All the best :)

lazybone · A Forum Mentor

Chiku, what answer do you expect LTA to give.
Or reverse role how will u reply if u r LTA.

If taxi can choose Taxi Stand. Imagine what will happen during CDB surcharge hours.
So how, set by-law... within same zone can. Different zone not allow.

Rule n regulation not set by TD. Taxi driver have to abide by all the rules.
For me certain rules die die must follow. The rest are just guideline.
If u challenge them u r asking for trouble.
If I do not want to pickup at certain taxi stand. I know what to do.

Remember when LTA start the taxi stand rule.
Many taxi drivers challenge them n got fine.
Luckily many abide by the rule....what happened ?
This time pax complain n LTA amend the rule.

Chiku · A Forum Mentor

With regards to Taxilim's response, this is how he is interpreting the act. As far as I am concern, I want to hear from LTA. I dont agree that LTA warden can suka suka take picture of us and slam some kinda fines. FYI, i once challenged MOE's rules and I won.

In any case, let me then go along the line with Taxilim's POV. If i am driving along Orchard Road, does it mean I have to stop at Lucky Plaza FIRST. If no pax, then I go Centrepoint? For the sake of argument, we dont consider the other side of Orchard Road i.e Taka.

And for the sake of argument, if I am travelling along Orchard Boulevard, is ION or Wisma the first TS? ;)

Taxiuncle -As far as I understand, if the pax flag us at a spot which is unsafe for us to stop then we have a case.

There was once one pax flag me at AMK Ave 3, I didnt stop for him cos he had family of 5, including 2 teenage kids. I saw him took a pic of my cab. Immediately I called SMRT to inform that why I didnt stop for him (cos he has 5 people). There are many people who count their teenage kids as small kids. I always flatly refused to take. Once i was at the zoo, again a family of 5, I refused to take. THey went to the next in Q, happened to be SMRT Epica and he took them. At that moment, I felt like a fool but after that I felt I did the right thing. Aint not gonna take any chance.

-- Edited by Chiku on Tuesday 12th of November 2013 11:40:00 PM

Taxilim · A Forum Supporter

Chiku wrote:
With regards to Taxilim's response, this is how he is interpreting the act. As far as I am concern, I want to hear from LTA. I dont agree that LTA warden can suka suka take picture of us and slam some kinda fines. FYI, i once challenged MOE's rules and I won.
In any case, let me then go along the line with Taxilim's POV. If i am driving along Orchard Road, does it mean I have to stop at Lucky Plaza FIRST. If no pax, then I go Centrepoint? For the sake of argument, we dont consider the other side of Orchard Road i.e Taka.
And for the sake of argument, if I am travelling along Orchard Boulevard, is ION or Wisma the first TS? ;)
Taxiuncle -As far as I understand, if the pax flag us at a spot which is unsafe for us to stop then we have a case.
There was once one pax flag me at AMK Ave 3, I didnt stop for him cos he had family of 5, including 2 teenage kids. I saw him took a pic of my cab. Immediately I called SMRT to inform that why I didnt stop for him (cos he has 5 people). There are many people who count their teenage kids as small kids. I always flatly refused to take. Once i was at the zoo, again a family of 5, I refused to take. THey went to the next in Q, happened to be SMRT Epica and he took them. At that moment, I felt like a fool but after that I felt I did the right thing. Aint not gonna take any chance.

-- Edited by Chiku on Tuesday 12th of November 2013 11:40:00 PM

Chiku ah...If no pax at Lucky Plaza, no need to stop lah...

I drive taxi, I need to see open lah...If get caught, then try to explain and argue. If still kenna, then suay lor.

I work very hard when I drive taxi. 6am to 6 pm. 15 mins lunch break only. At most, another 2 toilet breaks. So, I am not the idle type. Got booking, I bid. Got pax flag, I take. If pax wanna go Tuas West Drive, I go. If pax just wanna go round the corner and meter never even jump, I oso take.

But, I try not to think too much about the rules when I drive...too stressful.

-- Edited by Taxilim on Wednesday 13th of November 2013 12:37:59 AM