Advertisement

Singapore duo gives free rides after taxi fare hikes

Isaac Ong and Ruby Tan, both 23, went out to give free rides after taxi fare hikes were announced. (Photo courtesy of Deborah Choo)
Isaac Ong and Ruby Tan, both 23, went out to give free rides after taxi fare hikes were announced. (Photo courtesy of Deborah Choo)

By Deborah Choo

"I just do the free rides just to put a smile on people's faces and just say 'hey we're all in this together," said Isaac Ong, 23.

Isaac and his former fellow Temasek Polytechnic course mate Ruby Tan, 23, took to the road first on Tuesday last week after midnight to offer free rides to any Singaporeans in light of the recent cab fare hikes by ComfortDelgro.

The pair pasted a big handwritten sign "FREE RIDES" on the bottom left of the black Honda Civic Issac's father readily lent him. They set out to pick up random people to extend their little effort to anyone who wants a ride. On that night, they picked up two passengers. Isaac drove out again yesterday picking up another two lucky passengers.

Isaac admits that he too is a frequent taxi customer because he rushes from meetings to meetings.

However, he recognises that their efforts are unable to change the situation. "I don't think we can do anything about it. I haven't taken a taxi since the announcement of the fare hikes but eventually I think I will succumb to it also. But I know it won't be the last."

"Of course, if something can be done, that'll be great," he added.

The news of the recent price increments by ComfortDelgro, one of Singapore's largest market share holder in the cab transport industry, annoyed most Singaporeans. The flag-down is now 20 to 70 cents more. The online attacks came fast and furious with one Facebook group called "Boycott Comfort Delgro and its Fare Hikes" already set up.

"I read from an article years back that once Comfort increases its fares, the rest of the companies will follow suit because they don't want to lose out when the taxi drivers want to change companies to earn more. That's what I read, and I think it makes sense," added Ruby, a freelance writer.

Indeed, SMRT reacted fast to its competitor's increments, and also announced fare hikes.

On Monday night last week after the news broke of ComfortDelgro's price increases, Isaac and a group of his friends were exchanging ideas when he suddenly thought of giving people free rides. His friends and family were all supportive of the idea.

By noon the next day, the idea was in motion. The duo went about getting paper and pen to randomly draw up a sign last minute and took to the roads approaching all who wanted a ride after midnight. "I was just nominated by our friends who pushed me to accompany him!" Ruby laughed.

The duo was clearly in high spirits when they filmed a video during their first adventure in the car. His handsome boyish looks and great sense of humor proved to be infectious as the passengers happily interacted with the pair.

"Though the idea came out of the recent comfort fare hike, the motivation to do this was more than anything else to bless Singaporeans from my love for my people than a protest," he said.

Isaac revealed that the response has been wonderful so far and thinks less of the costs that he had been forking from his own pocket. "Sometimes when I drive, I see people giving us thumbs up."

This charming, down to earth youth is currently self-employed. One month ago, he founded Colours Global Pte Ltd, a humanitarian organization that hopes to fly Singaporeans over to third-world countries to extend support and help to the poor. The word 'colors', Isaac said, was because he hoped for volunteers to paint houses for the poor.

The ex-St. Hildan Secondary student only set up the company a month ago and plans to bring it further.

"I've always wanted to do this but never had the resources. I feel that a house is not a home," said Isaac. He added that being poor should not stop anyone from enjoying their living conditions.

"Hey, are you guys together?" this reporter threw the question out.

"See I told you everyone's been saying that!" Ruby told Isaac.

Both of them laughed it off but quickly added, "No no, we're just friends."

"Are you planning to continue doing this?" I asked Isaac.

"We'll see. As a Christmas special, we are planning to hit the road again sometime next week but the time isn't fixed because we have to work around our schedules."

Deborah Choo used to write for an array of websites such as Youth.SG and The Online Citizen. She now blogs in her free time.