I refer to this week’s Talking Point, “Where’s my taxi?”, on improvements to taxi services.
First, taxi operators do not treat cabbies as customers who pay to rent their vehicles; they are treated like modern-day rickshaw pullers. The operators impose many restrictions, but give no value back. Call system charges hardly help cabbies either.
Second, taxi drivers must appreciate that their role is not only to ferry passengers around. They are, in their own right, ambassadors too, ferrying foreigners, businessmen, local celebrities and common folk. Their attitude can help make or break someone’s day.
All too often, many people blame them for not being service-oriented enough, although it is the few who are rotten apples, with the majority eking out a decent living. It is about attitude: Is it only another job or a chance to offer better customer service?
Third, passengers must think about how they want their rides to be, pleasant or unpleasant. They, too, must show friendliness and respect to cabbies. Many do, many do not.
Some do not even pay their fare; others who lack self-respect decide that they have a right to leave rubbish because they are paying the fare. But they do not foot the bill for the cleaning of the cab.
Finally, I like GrabTaxi. It is open to all taxis regardless of the operator. It is also convenient and has records of the transactions and journeys.
If only certain taxi operators would understand that it can help increase their revenue, not hinder it. If it works better than their own system, they should think what value their system brings to the drivers.
This was posted on Talking Point’s Facebook page.
First, taxi operators do not treat cabbies as customers who pay to rent their vehicles; they are treated like modern-day rickshaw pullers. The operators impose many restrictions, but give no value back. Call system charges hardly help cabbies either.
Second, taxi drivers must appreciate that their role is not only to ferry passengers around. They are, in their own right, ambassadors too, ferrying foreigners, businessmen, local celebrities and common folk. Their attitude can help make or break someone’s day.
All too often, many people blame them for not being service-oriented enough, although it is the few who are rotten apples, with the majority eking out a decent living. It is about attitude: Is it only another job or a chance to offer better customer service?
Third, passengers must think about how they want their rides to be, pleasant or unpleasant. They, too, must show friendliness and respect to cabbies. Many do, many do not.
Some do not even pay their fare; others who lack self-respect decide that they have a right to leave rubbish because they are paying the fare. But they do not foot the bill for the cleaning of the cab.
Finally, I like GrabTaxi. It is open to all taxis regardless of the operator. It is also convenient and has records of the transactions and journeys.
If only certain taxi operators would understand that it can help increase their revenue, not hinder it. If it works better than their own system, they should think what value their system brings to the drivers.
This was posted on Talking Point’s Facebook page.
