Taxi Fares

Once again, I feel the desire to rant here at such an odd hour. Call me a freak. But I need to somehow document my thoughts right now.

I was prolly the last to know about the hike in taxi fares. That fateful day a month ago, the first day the rates went up, I did my usual, called for a cab and happily hopped in to go meet Bee. The taxi driver was exceptionally chirpy and friendly towards the unsuspecting me. During the cab ride, he attempted to strike up a conversation.

Cabby Uncle: "Aiyah, I really don't know how the new pricing works. You can explain to me?"

Me: "Huh?" followed by blank look.

Cabby Uncle: "Eh? You don't know ah?"

He then fished out a letter from his dash board and handed it over to me. Then, he started babbling non-stop. All I heard was a mosquito-like buzz from him, while I digested the contents of the letter. I remember reading key words like "35%", "CBD", "peak hour surcharge". WTF!

Cabby Uncle: "Young lady, this was announced long long ago leh! You mean you never read the news ah? Thought you know, then I can ask you to explain to me how this new pricing works leh..."

Me: "Sorry uncle, I don't read newspapers. But from the looks of this letter, I believe it says......."

Can't remember what I said to him, but I recall him grinning away like a squirrel who finally went to heaven and found the biggest nut he'd ever seen. Then he went on to stroke my friggin ego by telling me how pretty and young I look. I shudder whenever I recall this scene, as he somehow reminds me of a greasy Canon copier salesman I know.

Ok, that last part was irrelevant... Back to taxi fares...

An article in Today (http://www.todayonline.com/articles/233670.asp) said we are having better waiting times and higher cab takings. Is it all an attempt on taxi companies' part to make more money from us consumers? Demand and supply. If demand drops, suppliers may have to revise their prices to attract more business. I doubt that'll happen, with regular cab-takers like me, who simply cannot muster enough courage to battle the hot sun and walk to the bus-stop. Seriously, with inflation so rampant this year, I need to rethink my spending patterns.