Passenger's Unethical Behaviour

16 Jan'07 after finishing my lunch at Tiong Bahru Food Centre at 1330hrs, I drove off from the Multi-storey carpark with the intention of taking an afternoon break before continuing with my shift work at 1630hrs. At the bus stop opposite Tiong Bahru Plaza at about 1338hrs, a young Indian lady flag my cab and says she is late and have to reach Choa Chu Kang Loop by 1400hrs. I told her the shortest way is via Clementi Rd but it's not the fastest way as there are many traffic lights. I recommended going by Farrer Rd, PIE, Dairy Farm, Upper Bt Timah Rd and Teck Whye Way straight to CCK Loop but it will be costlier due to the longer distance. Besides, I cannot guarantee I can reach the place in such a short time of 20 minutes. I told her that if she took the MRT, it would probably take about 40 minutes to reach the destination considering that she has to do a transfer at Jurong East Interchange and then when reached the place, it would be a mad rush to her block. All in, it may possibly take about 50 minutes.

With her consent, I drove towards the suggested route. When I reached Dairy Farm, I only have about 7 minutes left to 1400hrs and the fare is already $10.40. Then she asked if I can give her a discount. I told her that I have already mentioned earlier that it would be costlier. She kept pleading with me for the discount. I told her we will talk about it when we reach her destination. As the minutes ticked by, she became even more anxious and kept pestering me to hurry. I told her I am already doing my best after breaking so many traffic rules. Speeding is the most expensive offence with 12 demerit points if caught. Come to think of it, it is rather foolish of me to drive the way I did.

I reached her place about 1403hrs and the meter reads $13.60. She pleaded with me to accept $9.00. What? 33% discount? I told her even with the shortest route from Clementi Rd, it would have cost her more than the $9.00 she is willing to pay. Besides, I really was pushing all the way to help her so that she can be there by 1400hrs. Completely upset with her, I reluctantly accepted her offer, at the same time consoling myself that I could be worst off and possibly have returned home empty cab from Tiong Bahru.

Lesson: Never ever perform such stunts again. I may be lucky this time round but one day, just one day, I will be caught for the offence and it would not be worth the money the passenger paid me. Next time, if ever a passenger tells me the same reason that he/she is in a hurry, I will tell them matter of factly that I don't want to break any traffic rules as this is my rice bowl. This is not the first time I encountered problems with such passengers, but rather third time. The first two were the same reasons. Promising to pay me and asking for my bank account number so that they can transfer the money to me because they don't have money with them at the moment. Eventually, the first one (a guy owing $10.90) never did despite repeated promises for the 3 weeks and the second one tooks close to 3 weeks of pestering before she finally said she had transferred the money to my account and asked me to check immediately. I can't be bothered to check the $6.30 she owed me and simply told her I trusted her.

My response to such experience in future would be if they can't afford to pay, just tell me and I would treat it as a donation to charity and will not pursue the matter anymore. Besides, all the phone calls and smses I sent would have already been a big discount and it would not be financially worthwhile to continue pursuing. I should move on.

So much of the encounters, I promise myself to never ever be foolish again and fall into such trap. I must be careful with such people in future.
Cheers.