To catch a cab.

When I don't stop my taxi after being flagged by potential commuters along the roadsides, most often than not, I will be shown the 'fist', or the 'third finger' or even get spat at.
The reason why I don't stop is firstly because, my taxi is already been hired and commuters are not aware and cannot see clearly as I drive past them.
Secondly, I may have the 'On Call' sign or other relevant signs such as 'Changing Shift', 'Not for Hire' or other location names sign which is displayed clearly on my vehicle's windshield. I don't blame them for showing anger because the signs may not be visibly understood as I drive past at certain speeds. I know what its like to be ignored when we have been waiting for so long and feeling very frustrated trying to catch a cab. Yes, I know too, because I myself need to catch a cab when I am not on shift and in a hurry to go somewhere urgently.
The problem usually occurs during 'peak hours' when folks are rushing home after work, after dinner or after having done their shopping, its sometimes near impossible even to book for one. These times are normally between 5.30pm to 10.00pm thats why we often see long queues of anxious commuters waiting in vain outside shopping malls' taxi stands, places of interests, clubs and other popular places, such as food centres etc.
The busiest days for taxi drivers are on Fridays and Saturdays, thats when the world comes out to play and taxi drivers will definitely go all out in full force to secure higher earnings from eagerly waiting commuters appearing here, there and everywhere.

Reflections

Remember the time when there was such a big Hoo Ha about the coming of the magical number, year 2000. All of a sudden, this 'number' is now 2009 and, coming around the corner you are about to see year 2010. How time flies, year in year out, this is still the famous phrase without end. 
Just a couple of months ago, was our huge and colourful August 9 National Day celebrations, then there was this festival of the Month of the Hungry Ghosts, the historical 2nd running of F1 night races, followed swiftly by the Muslim Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa and even before these celebrations subside, immediately coming next with all the lightings along Serangoon Road, Little India to bring on Deepavali and still more to come. Look out for the start of the decorations on famous Orchard Road "Light Up" to welcome Christmas and the end of another hectic year. 
These are important and continuous festivals, celebrations for survival of Singapore's big fleet of Taxis (more than 24,000 cabs) and the latest stats of our growing population now standing at 5 million and the governments intention to bring it up to 6.5 m. And with the ever increasing inflow of tourists from all over the world, we shall continue to survive. There will always be angry, frustrated lot of waiting commuters everywhere and just as many taxis with 'On Call' signs and more 'Signs', fingers and all to make our lives more interesting as we ply our trade along increasing crowded roads, streets and highways. 
With heavy traffic congestions and jams everywhere, everyday, driving is no longer enjoyable and we cabbies face stiffer competition on the roads as well as get tired more easily, and still manage to try to give of our best services. 
As for me, I keep discovering pleasure in the elemental : eating, breathing, walking, tasting, touching, seeing, sleeping, dreaming and also watch a sunrise at least once a year.............

Ever wondered why.....

There is always a long passenger queue at Far East Plaza taxi stand between the hours from 8pm to midnight and there are also many taxis that pass by but simply ignore the waiting queue of ready passengers?
Ever wondered why? 
Well, simple deduction, there is also two long queues of passengers at Lucky Plaza along Orchard Road and further up towards Paragon taxi stand and these taxi stands are very close by to each other, only advantage for taxis picking up passengers at these 2 taxi stands is that the taxi drivers stand to earn an extra $3/- surcharge because these passengers are in the CBD area (Central Business District). Therefore if you are in a hurry to catch a cab it would be better to quickly walk towards Lucky Plaza and that would save you a lot of stress and frustration of having to keep waiting whilst seeing so many cabs zip by.
Exactly after midnight there is the opposite scenario. You will definitely see a along queue of empty taxis that stretch from Goodwood Park Hotel towards Hyatt Hotel, why? This is because there is no longer any passenger queues in sight. There are more than 24,000 taxis in Singapore but at any one time not all taxis are on the roads, simply because drivers need to rest, they are only human, have their daily meals and short coffee breaks in between their shifts. 
Taxis too. A certain number of them do breakdown daily due to unforeseen circumstances such as tyre punctures, flat batteries, air con down, accidents etc..... 
There are often continuous grouses from commuters in respect of taxis not stopping for them or an endless stream of taxis having the "ON CALL" sign on the windscreen when they need them most. 
If you are a taxi driver, for instance, plying the roads for passengers and especially during peak hours when surcharges are maximum, would you not want to earn more income quick? 'Strike while the iron is hot' or just cruise around for nothing? 
Ask yourself. Yes, true, there are also taxi drivers who have their individual commitments for family, relatives, friends and themselves for reasons only known to them, to simply ignore waiting and ready passengers along their routes. 
We have to keep trying to understand each others weaknesses and continue to live and let live. Remember, don't expect Life to be fair, treat others the way you like to be treated..... Cheers