Beware the big black cabs

Post by **jpatokal** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:38 am

I'd always thought that any taxi waiting in a queue or hailed from the street would be same regulated price, be it a shiny white Mercedes limo or a beaten-up boxy Toyota... but no longer: SMRT has launched a fleet of big black Chrysler "premium" taxis, and not only do they charge $5 to get in (vs the usual $2.80-3.20), but the meter ticks up at $0.30/unit instead of $0.20/unit. Since most Singaporeans balk at this, they've now taken to picking up fares from the public taxi queue at Changi, and I ended up paying $30 for a ride that would cost $15 on an ordinary cab.

So beware of these guys:

agopal · Post by **agopal** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:54 pm

I am surprised that you were not aware of this....

cbavasi · Post by **cbavasi** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 1:29 pm

You can opt out of taking that type of taxi if you are in a line - I've done it and they don't seem to care - I'm sure it happens a lot.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 1:41 pm

Coming out of the airport the other day I was going to be direct to one of these and a couple of tourist behind me said how lucky I was to get a nice big shinny cab. I kindly said they could take it instead and enjoy your stay!

littlegreenman · Post by **littlegreenman** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 2:14 pm

Saint wrote:Coming out of the airport the other day I was going to be direct to one of these and a couple of tourist behind me said how lucky I was to get a nice big shinny cab. I kindly said they could take it instead and enjoy your stay!

durain · Post by **durain** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 6:33 pm

didnt know that. thanks for the info!

ScoobyDoes · Post by **ScoobyDoes** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 8:45 pm

Saint wrote:Coming out of the airport the other day I was going to be direct to one of these and a couple of tourist behind me said how lucky I was to get a nice big shinny cab. I kindly said they could take it instead and enjoy your stay!

Oh, you're evil!

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:01 pm

Those 300's are very fine automobiles. Worth one ride anyway.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:11 am

My boss bought a silver one two ago . He kept it a year and traded it in as it seems he couldn't pass a petro kiosk! Traded on a Lexus RX 400 Hybrid which, while nice, I don't really care for, comparatively speaking.

Post by **jpatokal** » Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:07 pm

agopal wrote:I am surprised that you were not aware of this....

I live more or less directly on top of an MRT station, so I'm too cheap to take taxis very often these days

And while I could live with a buck or two extra as starting fee, charging 50% extra per km is just taking the piss. Then again, given that it's an American car, I wouldn't be surprised if it does suck up 50% more juice than anything else on the road...

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 14 Aug 2009 2:24 pm

jpatokal wrote:
agopal wrote:I am surprised that you were not aware of this....
I live more or less directly on top of an MRT station, so I'm too cheap to take taxis very often these days

And while I could live with a buck or two extra as starting fee, charging 50% extra per km is just taking the piss. Then again, given that it's an American car, I wouldn't be surprised if it does suck up 50% more juice than anything else on the road...

Comes with either a 5.7L six or 6.1L V8... an alleged 18 mpg city. The road tax on that size engine has got to be humongous.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri, 14 Aug 2009 2:40 pm

Strong Eagle wrote:
jpatokal wrote:
agopal wrote:I am surprised that you were not aware of this....
I live more or less directly on top of an MRT station, so I'm too cheap to take taxis very often these days

And while I could live with a buck or two extra as starting fee, charging 50% extra per km is just taking the piss. Then again, given that it's an American car, I wouldn't be surprised if it does suck up 50% more juice than anything else on the road...
Comes with either a 5.7L six or 6.1L V8... an alleged 18 mpg city. The road tax on that size engine has got to be humongous.

I think the Chrysler Cabs only have the 3.5L engine

ScoobyDoes · Post by **ScoobyDoes** » Fri, 14 Aug 2009 3:32 pm

Saint wrote: I think the Chrysler Cabs only have the 3.5L engine

Yes i think so, but still has quite a punch.

I organise one directly with the driver, same fixed price, for taking me to and from the airport. It works out cheaper than a regular cab if i'm travelling each way during peak times, when there is a surcharge or if the ERP's are functional on the BKE and PIE in the mornings etc.

It saves a huge amount if i am arriving back in Changi after midnight

And i don't need to queue for one either

cbavasi · Post by **cbavasi** » Fri, 14 Aug 2009 6:32 pm

If you do hop in one of those taxis - make sure to drink the complementary bottled water - then you've actually saved about $1

jdaniel · Post by **jdaniel** » Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:04 pm

i was not too happy back in canada when they gave me a 300 as ain insurance replacement bceuase they considered that a luxury vehicle...joke, same category as my car, right....not... LOL it drives like a boat.....i wouldnt own one or drive one... but as a cab why not...but of course if you are pinching pennies orunaware then its not fair to be "surprised"

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Beware the big black cabs

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