Violent Attacks Against Cabbies.

Early last Saturday morning, 16th June, a 58 year old taxi driver was attacked by his passenger brandishing a weapon. He was viciously slashed and when he tried to retaliate, his attacker struck again. The cabbie suffered deep cuts and damaged nerves on his left arm which needed surgery. This was an unprovoked attack and the assailant did not rob or even tried to take his valuables. No one has been arrested yet.
In an earlier incident, on 8th June, a 48 year old taxi driver was beaten unconscious by his passenger simply because he drove a "lousy" car. This attacker, a 30 year Korean was arrested and police investigation is still on ongoing.
These recent violent attacks on taxi drivers clearly shows cabbies' vulnerability, with the cabbie sitting in front with his seat belts properly fastened (its the law) it is futile to even try to retaliate against aggressors who attacks from behind, worst of all with hidden deadly weapons.
Well, still thinking of taking up a taxi vocational licence and become a taxi driver? It is scary isn't it after reading what happened to the two unfortunate cabbies. Yes, it is a dangerous job, very unpredictable, afterall, who knows who or what your passengers can do to you even without any provocations simply because they are from the "cuckoo's nest".
Taxi driving is also about knowing a bit of psychology, must be tactful, alert always and some ability to judge 'body language' as well as through simple dialogue. Overall appearance is not always a safe guide. Through experiences all these years plying my trade, I must admit I am lucky not to have encountered 'psychotic or mad' passengers.

Diverse Personalities Of Commuters.

There are about 5 different types of passengers who make use of taxis, I shall try to categorise them into particular groupings.

(a) The die hard taxi users, this group of commuters will not use any other types of public transport other than taxis irregardless of any fare hikes.
(b) The 50-50 users, very calculative group, they will travel halfway by buses and trains, and the rest of the way by taxis, always ready with correct fares.
(c) The occasional or 'once in a blue moon' type of passenger will only use the taxi as a last resort, very fussy, unappreciative, and most likely the ones that make the most complaints and loves grumbling.
(d) The expats and permanent residents group, are usually direct in their requests, knows local rules and regulations well and what they can expect of the services.
(e) The tourist commuters, are usually very polite, takes everything in their stride for they do not know and will accept whatever and wherever, very appreciative and likes to tip. A very excited, friendly and cheerful lot.

I started driving a taxi in October 1997 and my experiences with passengers, up till today, after all these years, have given me some sort of ability to summarise and categorise the above interesting behavioural patterns of certain groups of commuters. Of course there are also the inimitable stingy, unreasonable, quarrelsome, arrogant type of passengers, a minority group though, but overall and generally, most commuters are generous and truly very pleasant individuals.