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March 28, 2005
Taxi drivers
It is said that to know the feelings in the population , you have to talk to taxi drivers. They are closest to the pulse of the people, and have their own unique opinion about events. One trait in their lifestyle is that they always - ALWAYS - complain that they don't earn enough.
I wouldn't want to know what Taxi drivers in Beijing are thinking - they must think about revolution.
"(...) The average cabbie works 106 hours a week, and takes home only US$220 a month. On the average day, they are stuck in jams for at least three hours (...).
A limit on the number of licences and the absence of unions give Beijing's 200 taxi companies an unfair advantage over their employees. The city's 66,000 drivers must pay more than half of their fares to their bosses and another quarter on fuel and repairs. They are left with earnings of less than US$0.60 an hour. To make ends meet, some work 24-hour shifts and then switch with alternate drivers so their cars are never off the road."
Next time you drive taxi - be it in Shanghai, or elsewhere, think that it is a tough job. I drove taxi to finance my studies in Germany. That time, it still was fun. But to survive on the money earnt married and may be with children would be impossible.
Posted by Andreas at March 28, 2005 02:59 PM
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Comments
Taxi drivers in KL is a different breed altogether.
I hailed 3 cabs from KLCC to PJ once and they demanded RM25 (it cost me RM11 from PJ to KLCC). One even turned me down flat for the ride because "Amoi, jauh lah!"
So I took the LRT and alighted at the Kelana Jaya station and approached another group of cabbies. I was bounced to and fro the entire group because "Amoi, dekat sangat lah!"
Go figure.
Posted by: ah pink at March 29, 2005 10:15 AM
You drove a taxi in Germany. Wow! Must be some experience. However i definitely won't want to be a taxi driver in KL.
Posted by: Adam at March 28, 2005 07:26 PM
Ivy - There are cheaters and cheaters and cheaters. Probably some buggers as well. I won't support those who don't show some ethics. But I am happily giving tips to taxi drivers that are fun to drive with, that are honest, and where I can see that they are trying hard to make a living.
If you get into a taxi at the wrong place, all taxis in the line are against you - they overcharge you, are rude and this is what is disgusting. I agree with you in this point then.
Posted by: Andreas at March 28, 2005 04:15 PM
oh yeah. I had my first hand lecture from a KL taxi driver. Make that 2. The Chinese guys tells me the rationale behind the bunch of drivers that park outside Sungai Wang during peak hours hoping someone would come by out of impatience or desperation and pay 30RM for something that would cost 10RM. The Malay guy comes by to tell me that road planning in KL is really horrible and said that if it were better he could earn around 5000RM per month instead of his current 1,2000RM.
Yes, I feel all Taxi Drivers now. =)
Posted by: Ivy at March 28, 2005 03:39 PM