A new approach to improve the taxi service

To improve the taxi service in Singapore, we have to adopt a new approach. Here are my suggestions:

1. Taxi fares should be regulated (and not left to the market). The regulator can balance the interest of commuters and taxi drivers and seek to achieve an efficient system that that provides quality service at a fair price. This approach is adopted by most countries, including Hong Kong and Taiwan.

2. The regulator can approve premium taxi service that charge differently from the standard service. The premium service has to pick passengers by telephone booking only (i.e. not from the road or taxi stands). Commuters willing to pay a higher price can telephone for the premium service. This service will use a different color of taxis (i.e. not the same as the regular taxis).

3. Booking of taxi should be reduced to $1.50. This will compensate the taxi driver adequately for taking the call and improve the usage of the taxi (instead of plying the road to look for taxis).

4. Commuters should be allowed to share a taxi, if they are travelling in the same direction. The appropriate fare should be fixed. This will improve the usage of the taxi, reduce cost for the commuters and increase earnings for the taxi drivers.