Menace of SMRT Taxi Drivers Woodlands Circle

Zhang Penghua informs the following on 13/05/2013:

I do feel our Singapore taxi drivers are mostly polite and careful in driving. But here I just to share my bad experience with SMRT taxi drivers.

 

First case happened about a month ago.

It was about 3:00pm on a weekday, at woodlands circle.

My daughter was crossing the “green man” zebra from evergreen primary school towards blk742, suddenly a SMRT taxi sped past her and the taxi driver realized he ran the red light, he slowed down after passing my daughter and waved to her to say sorry.

The car plate no was SHD65xxx.

 

Second case happened just today (05/12) at ~12:50 noon.

It was at woodlands Drive 40, my daughter and I was riding bicycles towards woodlands circle, while passing the auxiliary road from drive 40 towards blk 701, 702, a SMRT taxi suddenly turned left into the auxiliary road from woodlands circle direction without signalling and without slowing down.

The car plate no is SHD607xD, purple, Chevrolet.

 

I would like SMRT to emphasize to their taxi drivers the importance of safety, and don’t take people’s life for granted.

Sadly, such experiences are the norm instead of the exception and nothing is done until someone loses a life. Such is our society that is highly reactive but hardly proactive. We, as commuters and pedestrians, have to be vigilant with the taxi drivers here. We hope that this will change over time, but I am not hopeful at all.

Exemplary Driver from Comfort

Michelle Zhang informs the following on 08/05/2013:

Hi I would like to commend a taxi uncle who went out of this way to help me. I do not remember his taxi plate no. and name but he is from Comfort. That morning, I made a taxi booking from Comfort. The taxi uncle was early and made a phone call from his mobile phone to mine to inform me that he was at the lobby. I went down about 5-10 minutes later (my fault) and he was kind enough to wait for me. No vulgarities or complaints from him and he drove me to my workplace with a cheerful attitude. As I was rushing to work, I left a document bag in the taxi and forgot all about it. Some time later, I realised that I had left my bag in the taxi. As I had the number of the taxi uncle, I called him and told him about my blunder. Thankfully my bag was still in the taxi and he volunteered to send it back to my workplace which he did. Really glad to have met this great uncle who went an extra mile for me.

It's great to hear of such heartwarming stories but the truth is that such gems are so rare among the taxi drivers of Singapore. As you have the handphone number of the driver in this case, why not send a feedback through LTA's online portal so that they can trace the driver and recognise his exemplary attitude and service.

Idiot Driver SHB2700U Bedok South

Mr Phil Teng informs the following on 30/04/2013:

At about sometime after 7 pm on 30 April 2013, I was driving on straight road coming out of Blk 60 Bedok South, when I saw a speeding taxi from far driving on wrong side of Road. (my side) coming straight at me.  I stop and keep sounding my horn, but he still came straight at me and only stop inches away from my vehicle. I got down my car and want to confront him.  He was still talking on the phone while winding down his window. This driver is very dangerous to road user and pedestrian especially at the speed he drive in HDB estate and completely ignore everything while on the phone. Something must be done before further serious mishap happen. 

Taxi No: SHB2700U (white mercedes)

It is quite common for taxi drivers to be complacent and take things for granted. Perhaps this guy was distracted in trying to locate his destination. In any case though, he should have stopped to figure out what he is going to do rather than try to over-manage and nearly cause an accident.