SINGAPORE — Changi Airport yesterday abruptly discontinued a one-month trial of a separate queue for premium taxis at Terminal 1 (T1) — only one day after it started, following strong unhappiness expressed by cabbies at the arrangement.

The trial began on Monday, but when TODAY visited T1 late last night, staff said it has been stopped.

Pictures and videos had circulated online of lines of premium taxis blaring horns and parked along the road leading up to the T1 taxi stand.

The staff confirmed there had been a commotion, but were unable to say why the trial had been discontinued.

Speaking to TODAY last night, several premium-taxi drivers, who declined to be named, said there had been a WhatsApp message going around asking cabbies of premium taxis to congregate at T1 on Monday night to show their displeasure.

A premium-cab driver, who identified himself only as Mr Liang, lamented that the new system made it difficult for premium taxis to attract customers, with few people in the dedicated queue for these taxis, which charge higher rates.

When contacted, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) declined to comment on the reasons for halting the trial and whether it will resume.

In a statement issued to the media earlier yesterday, a CAG spokesperson said the trial was meant to provide commuters with clearer taxi choices while optimising operational efficiency in despatching taxis.

“The trial ... involves the creation of a separate queue for premium taxis at the taxi queue area with a dedicated queue line for passengers who wish to take premium taxis,” she said, adding that this service would be offered daily from 3pm to 1.30am and would continue until Jan 7.

She added: “In addition, within the taxi holding area, regular taxis and premium taxis are segregated into two lanes to ensure efficient despatch of taxis.”

Prior to implementation, consultations were carried out with the National Taxi Association and various taxi operators, who expressed support for the trial, the spokesperson said.

She said the system had worked well when the trial commenced on Monday afternoon, especially during the evening peak period from 4pm to 6pm.

“Passenger feedback was positive too, with commuters who were prepared to pay a higher metered fare for a premium taxi service lauding the clearer choices presented to them prior to joining the taxi queues.”

The spokesperson said there had been a significant surge in the supply of premium taxis at the airport late on Monday night, resulting in a longer waiting time for taxi drivers.

“We acknowledge the unhappiness expressed by some premium-taxi drivers,” she said, adding that CAG will monitor the situation, make adjustments and work with the relevant stakeholders.