It was reported in The Straits Times on Monday (Sept.8, 2014) that taxi drivers took their disappearing act to Changi Airport, right before the peak hour surcharges kicked in.

Today (Sept. 12, 2014), taxi driver Raymond Ong hit back. He wrote in to ST's Forum page and commented that taxis are not disappearing and is only a case of "supply and demand".

This has been a longstanding conundrum that no one seems to be able to solve. Maybe only David Blaine, who is in town, could help taxis "reappear".

Okay, if Blaine is not available, here are a few suggestions for the six taxi companies and LTA.

1. Scrap the peak-hour surcharge

Even though LTA introduced a slew of rules such as a minimum mileage that drivers should clock daily and the number of cabs that must be on the roads during peak hours, the "disappearing act" still persists. By removing the peak-hour surcharge, taxi drivers will find "disappearing" less attractive.

2. Decrease the cost of rental

No peak hour surcharge means loss of income. To mitigate this problem, taxi companies could consider lowering or maintaining their rental rate and not just by increasing the flag down rate. Why? More commuters might be put off with a higher flag down rate, making it even tougher for the taxi drivers.

3. Stagger the changing of shifts

If the supply and demand problem that taxi driver Raymond Ong said is true, then one possible reason for the mysterious disappearance of cabs could be the changing of shifts. To grab a cab at 4pm in the afternoon is as impossible as to witness snow in Singapore. One solution is to change shift at different periods of the day.

4.  Standardise the airport surcharge

Currently, there are two airport surcharges: $5 (5.00pm to 12.00am, Fridays to Sundays) and $3 (all other times). Is it too much to ask to have just one airport surcharge? Places of interest like Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens By The Bay only have one surcharge: $3.

Top photo from here.

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