Did the taxi driver take me for a ride?

[byseeksconseil]

Perhaps, if you could stick to the substantive issue here under discussion, instead of gratuitously going into the ad hominem mode, you would not come across as such a mean-spirited person.

What's wrong with you, besides thriving on being nasty and confrontational in this forum (if not (also) in real life)? 30 years of living in a hot climate screwed up your brain and/or personality, or what? Aging has not made you mellower, as it usually does to other normal human beings?

I perhaps should not have responded to your gratuitous, paltry attack. But it was really uncalled for.

byseeksconseil,

I really feel sorry for you. The entire Little Red Dot is out to screw you. First your neighbour make too much noise. Eventually you still couldn't have your OTT way so you moved out.

Then, because you probably moved out for no 'real' reason in a normal persons mind, your landlord took you to task. Again, you seemed to create your own problem.

And now, you have a problem with an extra bit of taxi fare and even considering all the evidence, you are still of two minds. I'm damned glad I'm not you. I'm afraid if I was such a miserable person, I'd jump off a bridge somewhere to put the world out of their misery.

[ScoobyDoes]

Thanks for the additional replies. The distance run from airport to home was 35.4 km. From home to airport was 30.5 km.

It seems that there is a mixture of opinions as to whether I ought to complain about this driver. Given the relatively strict regulations here, I am generally inclined to give taxi drivers the benefit of the doubt. Still in two minds.

On purely distance that cost an additional $2.70 @ $0.22/km.

Bear in mind the PIE would have definitely been slow, and probably running less than 30kph for a good portion of it, you would have been paying $0.30/km in slow traffic eating up that $2.70 or more - as I said your driver most probably was right to avoid the PIE at that time of night.

As x9200 said, the only point of contest would be whether he should have taken Cl.Av.6 instead of Cl.Rd. but a) the saving may only have been a dollar or two b) not a lot of drivers even remember about Cl.Av.6 because it doesn't actually 'go' anywhere and c) anyone with the nerve to pay a surcharge for using a credit card to pay for a taxi doesn't really have a leg to stand on with regards a dollar or two fare difference.

Half of the replies saying you should report the driver were based on your first post, which was only half of the story. Based on your second, overall your driver probably saved you both time and money. It's not often I stick up for kangaroo drivers but you'd be unreasonable if you report this one.

[x9200]

Probably the strongest complaint that can be made would be about the cabbie disobeying your initial instructions what likely made the trip more expensive. From what you wrote it more looks like he was lost/wrong rather than trying to rip you off. The magnitude is very different.

[JustSee]

I don't agree on the comment that it would have cost him less if the driver took the PIE. Remember that you also pay for standing in traffic and the PIE gets jammed horribly.

When I was going from the airport to Clementi I usually took ECP>AYE>Cl ave 6, from there to Bukit batok you switch to PIE, going on Clementi Road will not make it much longer.

And from my calculation fare should be around $37.5 based on 36km distance.
((10*2.5*0.22)+(26*2.85*0.22)+3.2+5)*1.25=37.5
first 10km (10*2.5*0.22)
subsequent 26km (26*2.85*0.22)
initial charge 3.2
changi fee 5
surcharge for peak hour 1.25


Besides, during peak hours it is best for cabbies to get you from point A to B as fast as they can so they can earn more $$$ and fit as many customers as possible.

[x9200]

When I was going from the airport to Clementi I usually took ECP>AYE>Cl ave 6, from there to Bukit batok you switch to PIE, going on Clementi Road will not make it much longer.

It may take even 15min longer. Cle ave 6 from AYE is seldom jamed at any time; Cle Rd is jammed very frequently from Ulu Pandan or even earlier up to Bukit Timah. Besides, this is also a longer route.

[byseeksconseil]

Taking everything into consideration, I will not lodge a complaint about this driver after all. Thanks for your input.

[Jacques Strap]

Always tell the driver the route you want him to take. This let's him know you're not going to be cheated. Why do you think SG taxi drivers are the only ones who ask you "which way you wanna go lah"?? you think they're being polite?? No, those donkey's are sizing you up to see how much they can cheat you out of. These cabbies whine and moan all day about their job, yet will constantly drive past fares trying to hail them for any number of xenophobe, racist reasons. Donkeys.

[sundaymorningstaple]

tic...toc...tic...toc....

this one's not gonna last too long, I daresay. Especially posting from Arizona!