"Saviour"

"Uncle, you are our saviour!" exclaimed one of the two young and pretty lady passengers as they boarded my taxi along Ubi Ave 1 to go to Downtown East in Pasir Ris late last night.
A "saviour"? I asked.
"Yes, we have been anxiously waiting for a taxi and there you are!" was the happy reply. This started a pleasant chit-chat between us with lots of laughter all the way till we reached their destination.
For a moment I thought, yes, indeed I have been saving many, many passengers from having to wait a much longer time, getting them to their workplace in time, getting them to keep their appointments and interviews in time and also rushing them to cinema theatres in time. Yes, yes, that's what I must have been doing all along without realizing that I, just an ordinary taxi-driver is indirectly also a 'Saviour',
Wowie! Its simply fantastic to be bestowed with such a wonderful 'title'. How often can one immediately engage in conversations with total strangers and enjoy chatting, laughing with them as if we had known each other for ages and on top of that, whilst we continue working? Not many occupations available I believe, except for work such as mine I think. After work, I always feel a sense of satisfaction for being able to provide a safe and pleasant journey together with 'unexpected' happy thoughts.
Hmmm......a Saviour.

A visit to RWS Casino.

Monday night, after working from 5.00pm till 10.00pm, I decided to go and spend sometime and enjoy myself at the RWS Casino.
If you are a Gold or Platinum card member of the Casino, you get to park free of charge in the vast V.I.P. basement carpark situate just below the Casino lobby. Other visitors need to pay a carpark fee in the huge Casino and Resorts World carpark, the amount usually varies from between a minimum of $4.00 to above $10.00 depending on how long you park there.
To enter the Casino, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents have to pay an entrance fee of $100.00 which allows you to go in and out only for a period of 24 hours (a deterrent to dissuade and for you to refrain from gambling). You can also pay $2000.00 for a yearly subscription and, (this is how the Govt further enriched their own coffers).
Inside the Casino, near the entrance, there is an enclosed area which caters strictly for Locals and PRs. This 'exclusiveness' was brought about by complains from Locals, "Kiasuism" in action, of being left out from 'table games' and no chance to play the hundreds of jackpot machines which are nearly always fully occupied by foreign guests. There are eating shops selling western and local dishes, a food court and many scattered 'stations' providing free 24-hour hot and soft drinks.
The people I see are mainly Chinese elderly men and women mostly seated at jackpot machines tapping away happily, many young women mostly Chinese nationals, you can usually tell by their accents when they speak aloud, walking around with chips in their hands, crowding around baccarat tables to place their bets. I noticed only a couple of middleaged caucasian guys sitting at a blackjack table, some Indian nationals and a handful of Malay young men walking around here and there.
At the middle of the casino, there is this stage with a large video screen in the background constantly providing entertaining shows by popular local and foreign artistes, celebrities, and also screenings of 'live' football matches for the big crowds of gamblers, (mostly uninterested while fully engrossed in their games) and to visitors as well as those losers who are left with nothing better to do.
There is an upper floor which is exclusively only for Silver, Gold and Platinum card holders, they are the high-rollers. The Casino, with an area equivalent to the size of 3 football fields, is usually packed during weekends and everyday you can see long queues of taxis (there is an additional $3.00 surcharge for every trip out).
After staying in the Casino for more than four hours and also playing Carribean Stud Poker, a fairly slow and relaxing game for two and a half hours, I thought it was time to make a move. My pockets felt a bit lighter as I slowly strolled out with a hot cup of white coffee in my hands, and it looks like a bit of overtime work is needed. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted but most importantly, I did relax and enjoyed myself. Maybe next time Sands.......

Speak Mandarin.

A new citizen of Singapore hailed my cab at Bukit Batok St.21 last evening. She was an Indian mother, formerly from Northern India, now a full fledged Singaporean citizen with her two young sons, both born in Singapore, one is now in Primary two and the other in K2. They wanted to go to Serangoon Road near to Mustapha Centre to meet the children's father and have dinner with him at a restaurant around that area. The children, both spoke English very well and I was impressed when I asked the elder son what second language he was studying in school, he answered, "Mandarin". He and his younger brother then started speaking some Mandarin phrases and they sounded very Chinese indeed. Well, I must say, the parents have chosen this language so that their children will truly benefit and be at an advantage over others in their future.
Just last week, only a few days ago, a very similar story, only this time my passengers were an Italian woman who is a PR together with her two young children of the same ages, and her elder son is also taking up Mandarin as his second language, he too spoke a few Mandarin phrases to me for approval. It was almost an identical scenerio, what a surprising coincidence.
Nowadays, many parents, especially those from different Nationalities have chosen Mandarin as the second language for their young children. I would love just to be able to speak an additional foreign language or two so that I can engage my foreign passengers in more livelier and happier conversations.
I suppose its still not too late for me to try.........maybe try only......see how lah.

Female F1 drivers?

Now that the grand F1 show is over, I managed to make a quick and simple survey from most of my female passengers who rode in my cab, to find out how many of them saw the F1 races, whether live or just watching from television coverage and to my surprise, none of them saw the spectacle nor were they particularly interested at all. I guess without any active female F1 participating drivers whom they can identify with, women's interest in this sport is just not there at all. I daresay F1 races is strictly a male sporting event. Organizers should plan and include women's participation in future F1 shows and not sit on their laurels over this world class extravaganza which has become a recognized universal 'Hit'. If this addition becomes a reality, who knows, possibly another "1st" for Singapore?

An encouraging booster.

Last night I had a very happy surprise and it was most encouraging for me as an amateur blogger. Somebody recognized me and called me "Hey! You are Uncle Frank!". How sweet it is to be acknowledged and being a 'newbie' I must admit I feel good. Jean is her name, together with her elder sister, flagged my cab just outside Tiong Bahru Plaza and wanted to go to two places, Boon Keng Road first, then to Bedok South. We were travelling for a while when her exclamation rang out. Elder sister alighted first and from there on, Jean and I had a hearty chit-chat, full of laughter, all the way to her destination. This pleasant surprise call has given me greater encouragement to continue to improve writing my blogs and hopefully contribute to more interesting and leisurely reads in future.

A Bonanza.

This time around, there is Extra income to be earned for taxi drivers during F1 night races in the city area and at most hotels within. For between $40.00 to $45.00 per trip, taxi drivers will find it worthwhile to go near or around the Grand Prix circuit areas. These fares will be chargeable until Tuesday 27th Sept. That's when F1 championship comes to an end.
Previously, cabbies will definitely shy away from or near this vicinity for fear of being caught up in heavy traffic jams. This year a greater number of spectators from overseas is expected, tourists will have more exciting and entertaining international shows available with quite a number of well known celebrities including this year's Miss Universe also attending the Grand Prix spectacle. Singapore has indeed put on this amazing event for viewers from almost all over the world. The changing face of our country's skyline, two vibrant casinos, Formula one night races together with the latest Marina Bay attractions has recently caused quite a big 'Buzz" around the world. Taxis are more in demand nowadays and I know there will be a greater increase in the taxi population even though it has already more then 25,000 roaming the streets presently.

Chaotic traffic jams.

I was quite unfortunate to be stucked in the heavily clogged up traffic jams along Upper Pickering Street heading towards Church Street and Market Street at about 7.30pm last night. I was ferrying two young and pretty French lasses from Kitchener Road (City Square) who wanted to go to One Fullerton, opposite Fullerton Hotel. With the many road closures near the Grand Prix arena, in the city area and travelling at snail pace, my passengers opted to alight near Market Street and continue on foot which they reckon would be faster in reaching their destination. I felt bad for not being able to complete the journey. The fare alone for this trip came to $27.60 but I only asked for $25.00 which I think is already too much due to the expected jams and road diversions. I then parked myself later at the Market Street taxi stand as traffic could hardly move and had to wait for quite a while before getting out from the traffic 'mess'. With the F1 carnival starting, roads surrounding the Grand Prix circuit will be closed and worst of all because it is night racing and also during peak hours, heavier traffic jams are inevitable. Of course I will try to steer clear from these parts but its not going to be easy and also not my choice for I cannot choose nor refuse a paying passenger's request. The closures and road diversions will be lifted in just a few days more, until Tuesday, 27th Sept. when the big Show finally ends. Taxi drivers' income is badly affected during this period especially when caught up in a traffic 'Snarl'.

'Akan Datang' CCTV.

It is soon going to be more and more difficult in future to load potential passengers for me even when they flag me along roads where there are white lines, single and double yellow zig-zag lines.
The simple reason for this is because the Government is soon going to install CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras along roads to capture wayward, unlawful and indiscriminate parking of all vehicles. The fine for such offences will be between $50.00 to $120.00 and thats not a small sum.
This soon to be installed CCTVs is the result created by who else? For being 'kiasu' (afraid to lose out) and inconsiderate most of the time, disregarding, causing undue inconveniences, disobeying traffic rules and regulations and finally causing road congestions, we have ourselves to blame.
We have maybe about six months more to enjoy 'free' parking as preparations for installations of these detecting 'eyes' get underway. I can envisage loss of income for taxi drivers in the near future because we will definitely be 'camera shy' for sure.

Making Friends.

Where in the world can you find a job, that gives you the opportunity to meet up, get to know and also to engage in conversations with people, total strangers, from all over the world especially when your country's Tourism Board keeps up their relentless drive to attract more and more tourists each day.
Yes, the Taxi Driver gets to welcome and make first hand contact with the tourists as soon as they arrive in Singapore. I must say, I am most fortunate to be one such cabby.
Today, after driving for more than ten years, I get a chance to engage in conversation with this pretty and charming young lady from Bolivia, when I ferried her from Hyatt Hotel in Scotts Road to Changi Airport Terminal Two. I have 'travelled' with people of different nationalities, from all walks of life and from so many countries such as Finland, Russia, Poland, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Nepal, Mongolia, Spain, Morroco, Ireland, Jamaica, Chile, Dubai, Mexico, Belgium to name a few, together with many others from more familiar Western countries and nearly all Asian countries as well. So you see, this job of mine gives me the opportunity to get to know, learn and find out what people all over the world are like, even if it is only knowing them in such a short period of time. For instance, I have learnt that in Bolivia, people have at least four names, the first two names belong to them and the last two, their father's and mother's. This is of course quite unique to me. Miss P.A.F.T. (initials only), I hope it is correct, told me her name and it sounded very nice. I also told her, it must be quite a hassle each time she has to fill in her long, long name into small columns in forms that require her to state her full name.
Wow! I continue to keep learning things which I am totally unaware of. It is truly a pleasure and delight to be able to chat and befriend people from all over the world. I am happy and proud to be a cabbie.

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.