Got rather pissed off today when i took a cab home after work. 2 taxis refuse to take me when i told them i am paying by card since i do not have any cash on me. The 3rd taxi drive "kindly" took me in but started a whole boring, naggy topic on why taxi drivers prefer to collect cash since it takes the cab company 3 days to deposit the card money to to their account. Its like why cant you wait for 3 days?! The whole purpose of the card system is CONVENIENCE! Now with the NETS system, its even better since the extra charges is 30 cents, considerably more worth it as compared to credit card that charges an extra 10%.
Anyway he rattled on on how locals will understand when he explains to them its not worth it to pay the extra chargers and how tough it is for taxi drivers to wait few days to collect their money, unfair bla bla... But its like on a monthly payroll , you only get your salary on a monthly basis. Unless its the case where you really need cash on a daily basis, or you have no whatsoever savings etc. How unlikely is that..Basically bullshit. Excuses.
Haven it occurred to them going cashless maybe safer? You know what i mean...
Anyway, I found out that he doesnt know how to use the new NETS system bcoz he called his collegue and started questioning why he couldnt find the NETS button. GRRRR...And he continued explaining that he had encountered credit card fraud, where one of his passengers was actaully bankrupt and the credit card company informed him that he couldnt claim back the cab fees. YA so his MORAL of the story is lady pls don't use card ,can? Anyway, he has this cheek to tell me the first 2 drivers are lying. All taxis now have the electronic card system, even if the machine breaks down for whatever reason, they are obliged to write commuters a sales receipt. OK thank you for telling me that..
Anyway my friend did mention once that the drivers should start their services only when the machines are working, else commuters have the right to refuse payment if the drivers say you can only pay by cash. That was what my friend did anyway.
I have also encountered countless occasions where many of them will try to engage you in a conversation on some meaningful topics but with narrow-minded comments. Sometimes i obliged and tried to strike a diplomatic dialogue, sometimes i just shut off (after mindless hours of work, I think i am entitled to some personal peace).
This entry is not to diss taxi drivers. I have met few pleasant ones. One who actaully hand posted the receipt to my house (I exclaimed its claimable from my company) because his was a manual one and he had forgotten to bring out his receipt booklet. Very sweet of him.
Anyway lessons learned:
1.If you intend to pay by card, don't bother to inform the driver upfront. Coz when you wipped out your card to pay, he wont have enough time to find any excuses to refuse you.
2.You can request for handwritten receipts, and sign on the form.
3.Master the art of verbaige blockage (am still trying)
P/S: I agreed to drop by the nearest atm to withdraw money for my cab fare, so i can stop his irritating naglogue. Crap. Haiz.
PoPo & I
My Godparents 
Diana & I. Congrats to Diana who's pregnant!
