That 30 cent diesel levy – time to stop it?
Singapore August 5th, 2008
Oh yes, I had been wondering why no one had questioned about the diesel levy. Seems like it has become a permanent fixture, hasn’t it? Or are they waiting for diesel prices to go down to sub-$1? While I do sympathize with cab drivers have to eke out their living, but increasing taxi fares through creative terms is definitely not the way to go.
What will they think of next? Location surcharge?
Here’s my point
THAT 30-CENT TAX
‘Time to stop the diesel levy.’
MR TAN SHAO KEN: ‘I think it’s time to stop the 30-cents diesel levy on cab commuters. ComfortDelGro stated that the levy was to decrease taxi drivers’ burden due to the inflation of diesel prices. Prices of petrol and diesel have dropped, so shouldn’t the levy be dropped, in fairness to commuters?’
Source: Straits Times Interactive, http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_264658.html
Article extracted on 5th August 2008
About
He so hopeful.
What goes up, must come down. Unless it’s run by a cartel not so much unlike our transport services.
Location surcharges have long been in place. Changi Airport, Singapore Expo, the business district, just to name a few locations.
Oh and the taxi driver’s burden? A taxi driver was kind enough to show me his ‘score card’ the other day, after I commented on the $6.80 boarding fee. ($3 + $1.50 midnight + $0.30 diesel + $2 Singapore Expo) Yes, 7 bucks just to step into a taxi.
Anyway, this particular driver was diligent enough to jot down the trips he makes and the fare, on a little card. I wasn’t very surprised to see that he averages more than $300 daily before rent. There were even days where he clocks $400 dollars. Not very surprising since my fare alone came up to almost $40.
I don’t even need to do the math this time. Let’s just say that $9000 in takings monthly is a ****ing decent burden to bear.
Passed without incident.