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moshimoshi · Veteran Guru

RE: acekang's blog

acekang · A Forum Supporter

11 Nov 09 0100h

Was cruising past orchard, seeing the insane amount of taxi queueing, over 50....i continue to cruise towards serangoon rd, along serangoon rd, although there are pax flagging but i was not the selected one. One taxi in the midst of the road past a junction was doing a reverse stun for a pax that flagged late, although i am in favour, i could have gotten the pax if i wanted to, my integrity and consience told me to drove past them. I was glad the reversing taxi got it. Approaching Rangoon Rd, I decided to vist the place where i drove my first pax to - Kerbau Hotel. The once unfamiliar roads begins to become more familiar now and it bring back good memories.

While i turned out back to Serangoon rd, out of the unexpected, luck shines upon me. It is very rare to have call booking at this time, 42 Sam Leong Rd. I knew that area was near Mustafa Centre and there was tons of taxi queueing at that time. Pressed 5 min and headed over, not putting much hopes up. Arrived and waited 2mins, saw pax came out of the hotel and go Meritus Mandarin.

After this pax drop off, it was already 0200h, I continue to cruise and cruise and cruise, but no luck getting any pax, and disappointment fall upon me each time seeing other taxi intercepted a pax. I knew it wasn't working, so i guess its time to head home. It was past 0300h by then.

Observations : After midnite, there are too many taxi on the roads, and overcrowding in some night spots just waiting for a pax. I do not know how long the wait gonna be for a 50 taxi queue on some of those night spots, i supposed it gonna be similiar waiting time at the airport queue. After several night experiences, i realised i should have stopped plying by 0200h.

bridgestone · Guru

During weekdays after 0100 is quite hard to get pax, yes there are far too many taxis on the road during this period and some may need money more than me so I normally heading home at this time.

taxiuncle · Senior Guru

i used to Q at 1 raffles quay from 12mn to 2am+.
average waiting time is less than 30 mins.

runroadman · Guru

Bro Acekang ,,,
may be U can consider what I am do all along ,,
me drive from 1400 hrs to 0200 hrs ,, my relief driver can start any time after 0200 hrs & hand over the cab to me by 1400 hrs (he paid me $35) ,,, I think Bro Bluenut is also doing it now aday...
Good Lucks !

-- Edited by runroadman on Thursday 12th of November 2009 04:00:46 AM

acekang · A Forum Supporter

11 Nov 09 1705h

Cruising along Sims Ave, got a drunkard flag my taxi. Got in and murmur Bishan, asked which part but did not answer. As I start moving off, he handed me over a $50 note. Along the way, he kept talking to himself, with various kinds of expressions, sad, sorrows, anger. I was still quite disturbed not knowing his exact location, and was distracted by his actions. I am in a confused state.

Along Macpherson Rd towards Bendeemeer rd, near the junction that leads to PIE-Changi, out of a sudden, I hit a van infront of me, I wasn't even sure if it had stopped abruptly. The van infront stopped and the driver came out. He asked me to come out, he checked the rear of his van, pointing to a minor damage at the back of his van. Some plastic stuffs, looked like ventilator broken, and dangling. I paid him $10 for the damage. He said not enough. I shouted "Faster Lah" and he went back to his van without a 2nd word....

Continued the journey towards bishan. Exit braddell and turned into Bishan Rd. Kept asking the drunkard for directions where exactly he wanted to go but not responding. Asked for his I/C, so i can see his address, but did not respond. At some junctions he pointed at some directions, asked turn right? No response...... watever, i turn right to Bishan St 11, then left to Bishan St 13, and intended to stop there and search for his I/C.....but to my surprise...he said stop here....THANK GOODNESS, I am so glad that he is leaving. Fare 14. Given back his 36 change.....I didnt leave at once after he left. I watched him staggered towards the coffeeshop and sat there....

My mood was terribly affected from this trip, losing $10 over a minor collision, and a pax with vague descriptions of the location he wanted to go. Luck has not been good either. During this peak hr period, kept cruising but no pax, watching taxi queueing at taxi stands that wasn't moving either. Should I say I am lucky that I only have to compensate $10 to the van driver?

bridgestone · Guru

When we find money $$$ got wings can fly... when money finds us we can't fly

acekang · A Forum Supporter

12 Nov 09 1630h
Headed to Loyang CDGE workshop for my 3rd Warranty inspection. Went to Team 5 and handed over the checklist. Technician saw a missing nut off my front left wheel. Quite puzzled how the nut went missing. Wanted to replace my car mat as it was torn into 2, unable to replace as the current account is under komoko...later found out can only replaced the next 20km when the account is under comfort. Servicing was done by 1700h.

At Loyang area, considering to go Pasir Ris White Sands to find pax, but decided to find the Changi Vicom CDGE. Along the way, when i am searching for Changi Vicom, got a pax flag. Pax got in and say Woodlands. Went TPE/SLE>Woodlands Ave 2. Fare 28.40! Pax paid by nets but did not want the receipt.

Right after the pax got off, another pax was waiting to come in. Pax got in and say go Queen St - Illuma. Went by Woodlands Ave 2>SLE>CTE>Bukit Timah Rd>Sungei Rd>Ophir Rd>Rochor Canal Rd>Ban San St>Queen St. Approaching the CBD area, saw the ERP gantry flashing , Taxi = $3.......I am thinking that pax might change his mind to enter CBD area when he saw $3 to enter. Asked pax, enter CBD area, pax say enter and stop at Illuma drop off point. Fare $27.30 , asked if pax wanted the receipt, he said no....which means he is paying out of his own pocket.

13 Nov 09 0001h

Was cruising towards city along upper bukit timah rd, had seen the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Road Signage. Decided to go in and take a look, turn into Hindede Dr and headed in. The path to the Bt Timah Nature Reserve was blocked. So I make a U-turn and wanted to leave this area. A "Hired" status taxi came out from my right from Hindhede rd horn at me. I was puzzled why do i get horn when i have the right of way. Suddenly, one of the pax from that taxi ran towards me. He got in and say River Valley Close. I asked why he didnt remain in that taxi. He told me the other guy going Bayshore, so he just taking the ride out to the main road to flag for a taxi, but to his surprise, there is actually a taxi here. I had never expect such a place to get pax, I supposed we are both lucky to cross our paths.

0130h

Cruising along Pasir Panjang Rd towards city, wanted to go Vivo City to look for pax, but got flag. Pax got in and say go condo near Newton food center, go by ECP>Rochor>Winstedt rd>Clemenceau Ave North>Peck Hay Rd entered Casa Cairnhill Condo. Security did not open the barrier, and pax told me to horn. Tap the horn once and the security open the barrier. The path to the lobby is similiar to those slope up/down at multi-storey carpark. Saw the extremely narrow bend, but managed to drove pax to the lobby and he alighted. As I was turning out of the lobby, i got past the 1st bend. The next bend i saw alot of scratches on the wall, i knew its gonna be difficult to get past here. My angle was not good enough to do a good turn. My side door hit the wall, and got DENTED, and I could not proceed ahead, i reversed and GUESS WHAT HAPPENED???? ===MY RIGHT MIRROR NECK BROKE OFF=== My heart aches!!!! I have gone out of my mind....I drove forward while my right door fight against the wall....After i crossed the bend, i came out wanted to collect the some stuffs that came off my right mirror. The security guard came towards my taxi, while i went back to that narrow slope/bend to find my stuffs. He had it on him, and handed over to me. While i was fixing up back the stuffs that drop out of the mirror. The security guard with a pen and note book, took down my Taxi number, and told me not to horn in future. Pushed back the mounting of the right mirror to it original position, however there was a crack on the side and the base. The mechanic mirror came off too, tried to fix it back but it keep dropping out. Gave it a knock and it did not drop out. Tested the right mirror with the joystick and it works....all is fine now, but i am quite sad about the crack.....so many things happened recently....my taxi which is less than 2mth old, is looking like one that has brave the storms for few years....My feeling at this point is like a general that is terribly defeated in a battle......closed shop for the day and headed home.....

NOTE : Fellow TUs, please be careful if you are told to drive into CASA CAIRNHILL. The way out is a trap!!! I would advise you to drop pax at the entrance instead of going in. Perhaps my driving skills is not good enough......Veteran TUs might want to challenge it.....

pirate · Guru

many condos r a challenge .. CB all the fking driveway so fking narrow... if u see many scratch on the entry pillar.. STOP yr taxi.. if u cant go in.. DONT be hero biggrin

bridgestone · Guru

Since when TU agreed drop of pax at basement carpark instead of main lobby?

Can we refuse to go in?

lazybone · A Forum Mentor

Possible that those who designed narrow drive way don't drive.
On paper enough clearance!!

music · A Forum Mentor

Tanglin View's drop off is equally narrow, but i manage to go through safely, cos the pax give warning in advance biggrin

Its only fit for motorcycles to drop pax off biggrin

vincez76 · A Forum Supporter

acekang wrote:

12 Nov 09 1630h
Headed to Loyang CDGE workshop for my 3rd Warranty inspection. Went to Team 5 and handed over the checklist. Technician saw a missing nut off my front left wheel. Quite puzzled how the nut went missing. Wanted to replace my car mat as it was torn into 2, unable to replace as the current account is under komoko...later found out can only replaced the next 20km when the account is under comfort. Servicing was done by 1700h.

At Loyang area, considering to go Pasir Ris White Sands to find pax, but decided to find the Changi Vicom CDGE. Along the way, when i am searching for Changi Vicom, got a pax flag. Pax got in and say Woodlands. Went TPE/SLE>Woodlands Ave 2. Fare 28.40! Pax paid by nets but did not want the receipt.

Right after the pax got off, another pax was waiting to come in. Pax got in and say go Queen St - Illuma. Went by Woodlands Ave 2>SLE>CTE>Bukit Timah Rd>Sungei Rd>Ophir Rd>Rochor Canal Rd>Ban San St>Queen St. Approaching the CBD area, saw the ERP gantry flashing , Taxi = $3.......I am thinking that pax might change his mind to enter CBD area when he saw $3 to enter. Asked pax, enter CBD area, pax say enter and stop at Illuma drop off point. Fare $27.30 , asked if pax wanted the receipt, he said no....which means he is paying out of his own pocket.

13 Nov 09 0001h

Was cruising towards city along upper bukit timah rd, had seen the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Road Signage. Decided to go in and take a look, turn into Hindede Dr and headed in. The path to the Bt Timah Nature Reserve was blocked. So I make a U-turn and wanted to leave this area. A "Hired" status taxi came out from my right from Hindhede rd horn at me. I was puzzled why do i get horn when i have the right of way. Suddenly, one of the pax from that taxi ran towards me. He got in and say River Valley Close. I asked why he didnt remain in that taxi. He told me the other guy going Bayshore, so he just taking the ride out to the main road to flag for a taxi, but to his surprise, there is actually a taxi here. I had never expect such a place to get pax, I supposed we are both lucky to cross our paths.

0130h

Cruising along Pasir Panjang Rd towards city, wanted to go Vivo City to look for pax, but got flag. Pax got in and say go condo near Newton food center, go by ECP>Rochor>Winstedt rd>Clemenceau Ave North>Peck Hay Rd entered Casa Cairnhill Condo. Security did not open the barrier, and pax told me to horn. Tap the horn once and the security open the barrier. The path to the lobby is similiar to those slope up/down at multi-storey carpark. Saw the extremely narrow bend, but managed to drove pax to the lobby and he alighted. As I was turning out of the lobby, i got past the 1st bend. The next bend i saw alot of scratches on the wall, i knew its gonna be difficult to get past here. My angle was not good enough to do a good turn. My side door hit the wall, and got DENTED, and I could not proceed ahead, i reversed and GUESS WHAT HAPPENED???? ===MY RIGHT MIRROR NECK BROKE OFF=== My heart aches!!!! I have gone out of my mind....I drove forward while my right door fight against the wall....After i crossed the bend, i came out wanted to collect the some stuffs that came off my right mirror. The security guard came towards my taxi, while i went back to that narrow slope/bend to find my stuffs. He had it on him, and handed over to me. While i was fixing up back the stuffs that drop out of the mirror. The security guard with a pen and note book, took down my Taxi number, and told me not to horn in future. Pushed back the mounting of the right mirror to it original position, however there was a crack on the side and the base. The mechanic mirror came off too, tried to fix it back but it keep dropping out. Gave it a knock and it did not drop out. Tested the right mirror with the joystick and it works....all is fine now, but i am quite sad about the crack.....so many things happened recently....my taxi which is less than 2mth old, is looking like one that has brave the storms for few years....My feeling at this point is like a general that is terribly defeated in a battle......closed shop for the day and headed home.....

NOTE : Fellow TUs, please be careful if you are told to drive into CASA CAIRNHILL. The way out is a trap!!! I would advise you to drop pax at the entrance instead of going in. Perhaps my driving skills is not good enough......Veteran TUs might want to challenge it.....

Agreed.. Casa Cairnhill Basement carpark is a nightmare... I was lucky the pax warned my on the potential harzard and I paid extra care...

taxiuncle · Senior Guru

can we hv a compilation of all the 'danger zone' drive-way in another fresh thread? smile

vincez76 · A Forum Supporter

taxiuncle wrote:

can we hv a compilation of all the 'danger zone' drive-way in another fresh thread?

TU start the thread.. we support!!