'Wake up earlier': S'pore private-hire driver displays savage note to riders, applauded by other drivers

A private-hire driver, apparently tired of perceived misbehaviour from his passengers, put up a laminated note in his car.

The note, which was shared on Facebook group Professional PHV Drivers Singapore on Nov. 2, urged riders to abstain from certain requests or behaviours.

In a pretty savage fashion, too.

On late riders

In a letter riddled with highlights (for emphasis), the driver told his passengers not to inform him if they are rushing or late for a meeting.

"There are thousands of selfish riders who only think about himself/herself. You are not worthy for me to put my life [at] stake," the note read.

The driver added that his "only task" was to transport the passenger to the destination safely, and that he would have to return home at the end of the day.

"If given the choice, do you think I will spend so much time on the road? I would rather spend more time with my lovely family," he said.

He concluded that passengers could resort to other means to avoid being late, such as to plan their trips earlier, or to simply wake up earlier.

Fixed fare

The driver also urged passengers not to tell them of their preferred route.

Fares are fixed and the driver decides the route, he explained, and each private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver would choose the fastest route for the trip.

"No need to teach your grandfather how to drink coffee. PHV driver spends more time than you on the road," he wrote.

He concluded the note with an appeal not to eat or drink in the car, "unless you want to help [him] catch cockroaches in [his] car".

"Power"

In response to the brutally honest note, a number of other PHV drivers praised him in the comments section.

Some said they would follow suit, and even added on with other points, such as for passengers to wear their seatbelts.

However, others pointed out that his tone could be perceived as rude, and that he risked taking a hit to his rating.

"Pay money for service, still get this kind of sarcastic tone. No thanks," one user remarked.

Another commenter suggested that his arguments could easily be rebutted from the passenger's side.

"If I not late, you think I will need to pay more than bus or MRT?" he pointed out.

Top image by Ilyda Chua and Professional PHV Drivers Singapore/Facebook