INCREASED IN TAXI FLAG DOWN RATES

The largest taxi operator in Singapore, ComfortDelgro has recently announced that it would increase its flag down rate for its brand new fleet of Hyundai i40 taxis from $3.20 to $3.70.

SMRT has also announced a higher flag down for its Toyota Prius taxis which would cost $3.80 with effect from 25 October 2013.

The different flag down rates that is offered by each taxi operator has been a topic of discussion of late as some were for it while others felt that maybe a standardised flag down rate would be better.

How would the rise in flag down rates affect passengers particularly for students who travels to school or to work?

Polytechnic student, Ong Hui Ting takes a taxi to school at least twice a week when she in a rush. She shares that she spends nearly twenty dollars each time she takes a taxi from her house in Ang Mo Kio to her school campus.

The recent announcement on the increased of the flag down rate has certainly affected her to a certain extent as she now has to pay more for each trip.

The 17-year-old said: “I just hope that it would be the same, even like cheaper because I’m still a student and it is kind of hard for me to balance out.”

Her friend, Denyce Loo, 17, polytechnic student added: “I think actually it is ok but then as long as the price does not differ too much but other than that, I think it is okay.”

Another student who travels to her work place at least once a week did not welcome the recent increase in flag down rate.  

Zeng Pei Ru, 18, polytechnic student said: “I pay more for one trip which is still not really worth it.”

When prompted whether there should be a standardised flag down rates, there were split opinions on it.

Pei Ru explained: "But because you see, it's more on the companies with different policies so you can't really expect them to all have it at the same price but just try to lower down the rate."