Mixed reviews for Taxi Information System trial

SINGAPORE — Two weeks after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) started the trial of its Taxi Information System to match taxis to commuters, taxi drivers Channel NewsAsia spoke with said it has been helpful in informing them where taxi demand is.

Heat sensors installed overhead at each of the seven taxi stands in the trial are configured to alert taxi companies’ call centres by SMS when there are at least 15 people in line, and when the average waiting time is more than 15 minutes. Taxi drivers are then encouraged to go to the taxi stands with the long queues.

“It saves us a lot of time to wander around and pick up passengers,” said taxi driver Mr Alyf Leslie Velge.

But taxi driver Mr Eng Kim Guan said the system only works if a driver happens to be in the vicinity of a taxi stand where there is high demand. “If we are around the area, we still can manage to go,” he said.

Some taxi drivers also said a more effective way of finding passengers is through third-party apps, which are gaining popularity.

MIXED RESULTS FOR COMMUTERS SO FAR

As part of the trial, commuters can also go online at MyTransport.sg to see how long the queues are, or use a mobile app. From next month, they can also find out what the average waiting time is.

At Lucky Plaza, whose taxi stand is one of the seven in the Taxi Information System trial, there is a constant supply of taxis and commuters. Commuters Channel NewsAsia spoke with said more taxis arrive now compared to a few months ago, while the taxi queue moves “very fast” with lots of taxis available.

But some commuters say the situation varies depending on the time of the day. On weekdays, it seems the queue at Lucky Plaza builds up and fades off quite quickly. But many people said the wait intensifies during weekends and peak hours. “Especially at rush hour, the queue is very long, and sometimes it is quite difficult to wait and stay in line,” said Ms Anya Daligdig, a lounge executive.

A check with several commuters also showed that many do not know about this taxi trial. Mr Alain Tan, a producer, said: “I did not know that there’s such an app.”

Ms Shantiya Vadiveloo, a marketing manager, said the app would be good to predict wait times at another taxi stand, and choose to go there or not.

“If let us say I know how many people are waiting, then at least I know whether I need to waste my time to get here,” said Ms Gigi, a dental assistant.

The trial is on for a year, and LTA said some time is needed to evaluate its effectiveness. CHANNEL NEWSASIA