Here’s to everyone who’s ever tried to hail a cab in the rain.

If you’ve ever taken a taxi in Singapore, you’ll know achieving the above is less likely to happen than striking 4D.

Worldwide, the taxi industry has been shaken up with the arrival of taxi and private hire car hailing apps like Uber, Grab, and Hailo. Now, slowly but surely we are seeing a shift in the direction where the entire industry grows together that benefits the customer, taxi companies and taxi drivers. Private hire car chauffeurs have also emerged which attract many part-timers. They help to complement the limited taxi supply.

In short, it's a wonderful time to be a commuter. And a taxi driver too.

1. Efficient AF

This is how your taxi looks like these days -

So many screens, one for every app. More bookings mean more business when running at 100 percent capacity as the ideal scenario. All that earnings while forgoing toilet, meal and rest breaks…mmmm

2. Spurring improvements

In a short few months we’ve seen Grab and Uber rebranding themselves, and the two regularly strive to outdo each other with new features being offered regularly. To counter that, Comfort revamped their mobile app making it easier to use. Now, the app looks more 21st century. Like finally. Ownself check ownself? Didn’t happen till Uber or Grab.

3. Competition for talent

Taxi drivers used to just rent from taxi companies but with ride hailing apps such as Uber and Grab, they have a choice to decide which model works best for them. Both offer different incentives and now drivers have the luxury of choice. It might be time for taxi rental companies to decide how they want to sweeten the deal for existing drivers or risk losing them. So who’s the boss now?

4. Pay any way you want

Pay by card? You’d get death stares and grumbles in the past.

These days, the feeling of walking in and out of a cab or private hire car without reaching for your wallet is just next level.

5. Survival of the fittest

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Being able to rate your driver might have been the best thing to weed out the drivers that give the industry a bad name. Customers are no angels as well, so being able to rate riders too gives drivers an avenue to air their side of the story.

Listen to your Spotify playlist via the car’s sound system before your next meeting or even free wifi or what about charging points ? Value added services can be affordable, and some drivers go the extra mile to delight you.

While it might be an efficient use of resources, we must not forget the industry is powered by fellow humans. Everyone has to play their part to make sure the industry grows for all stakeholders: Drivers, riders, taxi companies, and booking providers.

Top photo by Gerald Chan

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