SmartCab errant taxi driver(SHB9064B) who overcharge
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On 3rd Aug 2011, I flagged a SMARTCab white Mercedes taxi (SHB9064B) outside my home.The metered fare was about $11 but the final fare on the meter was $14.40 after the driver hit the final charge button on the meter.However, the driver insisted that I pay $18.50. I queried on the "final final amount" which he insisted; which was different from the final metered fare but his reasons were hardly comprehensive. He was also quick to reset the meter when I queried the inflated charges. Not wanting to get into an unpleasant argument and as I was also late for my appointment, I asked for a receipt. He managed to print a copy but with just the fare amount paid.I subsequently wrote to SmartCab to determine if I was overcharged and the followings were my correspondences with SmartCab.Before Smartcab's last response, I actually protest that the driver was only given a verbal warning as it was his first reported offence. But how many cases have gone unreported by unknowing or unsuspecting passengers? Also if he was brave enough to cheat a local, how many foreign visitors have fallen prey to his dishonesty.I can understand the verbal warning if it was a genuine mistake but this was a deliberate attempt to cheat and even after being queried, he was unfazed and proceeded to justify the inflated fare with non-existence charges. In addition, he was not remorseful after SmartCab initial investigation and only admitted when the receipt was faxed to his company.My question is why did SmartCab being a public company endorsed such dishonesty amongst its drivers and willing to let them romp the street to cheat the public? Isn't it the responsibility of a public company to protect the public?show details 4 Aug (6 days ago)Dear Mr XXX,
We refer to your feedback against taxi no SHB9064B through the feedback
on our website,i had called the driver involved and his explanation is he
collected the correct amount indicate in the receipt. Can i request a copy
of the scan receipt for my investigation?
Best Regards
Aden Cheh
Recruitment & Marketing Manager
Smart Automobile Pte Ltd
- Show quoted text -show details 8 Aug (2 days ago)Dear Mr XXX,
Thank you for the email and also i had received you fax copy of the receipt.
I have call the driver and he admitted his actions that happened on 03
August 2011. Smart will not tolerate any of the drivers misbehave conduct
and dishonest behavior while driving on the road, since this is his first
feedback from member of public, he is given a verbal warning and also
reminded the consequences for a repeated offence.
Base on the time (peak hour)and milleage travel, the correct amount should
be $14.40 as indicated in the meter. I had asked the driver to refund the
different of $4.10. Can i have your address so that i can arrange to mail
the refund amount to you?
We strive to provide with the best possible driver with good driving
attitude, and when that it fails to meet the expectations, it is important
for us to know. We regret any inconvenience or frustration that your
experience has caused you.
Thank you for bringing this problem to our attention and we are not taking
your dissatisfaction lightly.
- Show quoted text -show details 8 Aug (1 day ago)Dear Mr XXX,
As i mentioned in my email,this is his first offence reported and we had
taken our action base on our company rules. As for intention of making a
police report, we will definitely co-perate when the rightfull authority
call for driver particulars.
We will mail out the refund amount to you on 10 August 2011 and i would
like to thank you for you feedback again.
- Show quoted text - -
So what is yr aim here? The members here are just a fraction of a fraction of our Taxi drivers in SG.
Appreciate if you can also share yr topic to other taxi driver forum, eg: taxiuncle.com and cabby.com.sg so that more TDs are aware.
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very difficult to read like that ....
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On 3rd Aug 2011, I flagged a SMARTCab white Mercedes taxi (SHB9064B) outside my home. The metered fare was about $11 but the final fare on the meter was $14.40 after the driver hit the final charge button on the meter. However, the driver insisted that I pay $18.50. I queried on the "final final amount" which he insisted; which was different from the final metered fare but his reasons were hardly comprehensive. He was also quick to reset the meter when I queried the inflated charges. Not wanting to get into an unpleasant argument and as I was also late for my appointment, I asked for a receipt. He managed to print a copy but with just the fare amount paid. I subsequently wrote to SmartCab to determine if I was overcharged and the followings were my correspondences with SmartCab. Before Smartcab's last response, I actually protest that the driver was only given a verbal warning as it was his first reported offence. But how many cases have gone unreported by unknowing or unsuspecting passengers? Also if he was brave enough to cheat a local, how many foreign visitors have fallen prey to his dishonesty. I can understand the verbal warning if it was a genuine mistake but this was a deliberate attempt to cheat and even after being queried, he was unfazed and proceeded to justify the inflated fare with non-existence charges. In addition, he was not remorseful after SmartCab initial investigation and only admitted when the receipt was faxed to his company. My question is why did SmartCab being a public company endorsed such dishonesty amongst its drivers and willing to let them romp the street to cheat the public? Isn't it the responsibility of a public company to protect the public?
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Threadstarter went to the taxi company ...
Of course for best of all interest , including leasing out of the mercedes , verbal warning .
If he go straight to LTA , game over for that Merc Cabby .
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i believe there must be some reason behind but the driver just unable to explain it properly. (note: not all driver can speak and present well)
If it is a genuine cheating case, SMRT will not be that stupid to just giving a verbal warning.
I never believe such article, it always one side of the story.
Can it be the driver forgotten to on the meter in the beginning, he is charging the "extra" base on his estimation (which generally will not be accepted) and that why the company can understand but still demand him to return the "extra" to save trouble.
Obviously, TS did cover up the detail of his trip, like what time, from where to where, using which route etc. If he can mention the detail, i'm sure the "uncle" here can estimate the fares and advise is he begin "cheated".
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driver ask for more than meter fare. He is in the wrong, no arguement. (although i feel ts is trying to hide some facts) knn, driving merc so bad meh? must resort to this kind of chating? I thought unker pool say only blue drivers choot pattern one? :p
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Wiz , u should invite him join your group . Any problems also solve .
Street paxes damn phui one .
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wah wizQ today so early go hm liao ah........
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like that also want the driver die!! How about passenger cheating the taxi driver???
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When you press the stop button, every fares on the MDT is the final, be it ERP and surcharges, you can go on and claim you forget to on the meter or press the surcharges whatsoever, the final bill on the MDT is the legal right of pax. TD needs to be careful on this, it is better to be calm when pax board the taxi, for some cabbies, those hyperactive and kan chiong type will alway miss to press this and that, so it is important to remain calm, greet pax, until pax is comfortable, then ask them where they want to go. Take a moment to adjust yourself, hit the op button and see what are surcharges is needed to apply, from airport to expo to certain holiday surcharges, for premier silver which i drive, I have to tell pax that there will be a 50 cents fuel surcharge before the trips, then tekan the button to add 50 cents, if you dun tell, the ending can be nasty for some tai ko pax, they will argue why you never tell us and so on.
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i did, not once but many time forgot to start the meter, usually i tell the pax and charge the "extra" base on estimation. Usually pax are understanding, they do not want to short change the driver as well.
But i do prepare to forego the "extra" if pax refuse, that few dollars will not make me any richer but is making the pax looks more ugly.
Once, during midnight, i picked a lady from Rivervalley Road to Cityhall. Alone the way at Orchard Road, reaching Istana, i notice i forgotten to on the meter.
As usually, i make it loud enough saying "opps, i forgotten to on the meter", then i turn it on.
Upon reaches the destination, the meter show $3.60 plus $1.80. i requested to the lady "Do you mind to top up the difference cos i forgotten to on the meter when you on board."
The lady quickly answere "NO, i think that should be the fare, it's a short distance"
i then reply "it's ok, then $5.40...... $5 will do lar"
She pay me $5.40 and is looking like more angry then me.
i say "Thank You and Good Night" to her somemore.
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Originally posted by Poolman:
Wiz , u should invite him join your group . Any problems also solve .
Street paxes damn phui one .
Yah, I already told him to call 6254-1117 to join the group membership. Like that sure he'll have no problem one. :) -
Originally posted by komade:
wah wizQ today so early go hm liao ah….....
Don't know why last night so lazy to cheong midnight leh, so I go T3 to relax in the Q waiting for SQ11 :) -
Originally posted by WizQ:
Don't know why last night so lazy to cheong midnight leh, so I go T3 to relax in the Q waiting for SQ11 :)
haha me also lazy go bedok 85 makan 45min then go loyang top up diesel pray at tua pek kong another 45min .......
