Bout of Bad Lucks on 10 Feb'07

It has been nearly one month since I wrote in my blog. A bout of bad lucks struck me 10 Feb'07 and will remain entrench in my memory.

Incident #1

I picked up an old lady from Tampines Street 45 around 5.20pm. She wanted to go to Punggol Field. As I turned into the driveway of her block, she asked me to stop the vehicle in front of the truck. I told her I couldn't as there is a road divider and would be obstructing other road users. I proceeded further ahead and turned left into the rubbish disposal bay. She raised her voice at me about not stopping the cab at the spot where she wanted. I told her once again that I can't stop my cab as it would be obstructing other road users, this time in a higher tone. I felt bad after that. She soon realised my good intention and also that I had stopped at a better and safer place for her to alight. She asked me how much the fare was and I looked at the fare meter and told her $8.60. She then complained that she takes cab regularly and that it normally costs her about $6+. I told her that this is the peak hour where there is a $2 surcharge. She would not listen and insist that the fare shown in my cab is high. I didn't want this to affect my mood and asked her to pay me what she thought would be appropriate. She paid $7. I accepted and thanked her.

Lesson: Next time whenever I pick a senior citizen, I will have to remind them about the $2 surcharge for peak hour.

Incident #2

I picked up 4 boys (age presumbly between 15 to 16 years at Bt Merah Central around 7.40pm. Their destination: Yishun St 21. Along the way, the boys were using vulgar words and laughing in the cab. One of the boys was worried as he had not been home the night before and had not informed his mother about his whereabout. They really smelt of cigarettes. I told the one sitting in the front passenger seat that generally, parents have their children at heart. Parents' naggings are for their good and not a past time or that they like it for that matter. Education is important and that they should put more concentration in their studies for a better future. He nodded in agreement. All these while they were playing with their mobile phone, smsing to each other and I did not suspect anything.

When we reached Yishun Avenue 2, one of the boys asked me to stop at Yishun MRT Station to alight. The rest of boys asked to proceed to Street 21. On reaching street 21 carpark at Block 305, as I was about to stop the fare meter, the 3 boys, in a synchronised manner, opened the 3 doors and dashed out in different directions. I was more surprised then shocked and didn't expect them to bolt without paying. I did not bother to chase them. It's just not worth the effort. The fare comes to about $18.30 and is now zero.

In cab driving, we have to be prepared for all sort of surprises, including robbery & cheats. What actually comes to my mind was, they are fortunate that I did not pursue the matter. I could have shouted, Robbery! Robbery! and they could have been apprehended by a group of about 15 people learning Tae Kwon Do just 50 metres away. And one of the boys was running in that direction. But, I will let others take care of them because somewhere in the future, they are bound to be caught. If they had told me they had no money to pay me along the way, I would still have obliged and send them to their destination. If they are caught, there would be a criminal record, regardless of how small the amount.

Lesson: Be more aware of the passengers, particularly teenagers. I will next time prepare myself to unfasten the seat belts before I stop the cab. This way, I will be able to react in time and apprehend the culprits.

Incident #3

I was on my way home to Bt Batok and driving along Jln Jurong Kechil at about 1.40am when 3 boys age about 15 to 16 years stopped my cab. "Oh no, not again", I thought. Anyway, I stopped and one of the boys said if he wants to go to Jelapang Rd at Bt Panjang, would $6.00 be enough. "Of course not enough lah!" With midnight charge, it could easily be $10.00 to $11.00. But since I have already ran into 2 unlucky incidents, I guess this time round I will do the good deed since the boys are honest with me. They paid me the $6.00 and board my cab. As I drove along Jln Jurong Kechil, one of the boys asked to stop about 2 bus-stops away from where they boarded and outside Signature Park to alight. After he alighted, I drove along Jln Jurong Kechil again and was intending to turn right at the junction to Old Jurong Road towards the direction of Bt Timah Road, one boy asked me to turn left and proceed to Bt Batok. Bt Panjang would be later. "What? I thought you said Jelapang Road". Why didn't you tell me earlier? Which part of Bt Batok are you staying?" "Er, near the swimming pool." "No, I will send you back last", I said. "Because I stay in Bt Batok and don't want to do a big detour."

So I proceeded with turning right towards Bt Timah Rd. As I reached Jelapang Rd, the other boy said, "Turn right, then left, then right again." The boy who lives in Bt Batok scolded him, "Oei, your $6.00 very big is it? Wah lau eh! Like that also cannot walk in and want to make uncle drive in." "Shut up lah." I drove in as directed. As he alighted, he thanked me with the Bt Batok boy still cursing him for causing him to lose face.

I then drove out towards Bt Batok Rd and turn into Bt Batok West Avenue 5 and towards West Mall. Upon reaching the boy's place, he alighted and thanked me for the generosity. I look at the meter and it shows $14.70. Oh well, at least these boys are unlike the Yishun boys.

Lesson: Nothing to learn here except to learn to be generous and charitable towards those honest enough to own up first.

Cheers.