The Straits Times Podcasts

S2E1: Why taxi drivers are “changing shift” when you need them most


Listen Later

Improve your chances of getting a ride on a wet Friday evening with some hacks from this experienced cabbie.

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.

Mr James Quak is among the 89,000 qualified taxi drivers in Singapore. In this episode of Wheel Insights, the 49-year-old sheds light on how taxi drivers work out their share of the vehicle rental and how they decide which ride booking to take. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:35 The difference between being a taxi hirer and a “relief driver”

5:41 How much driving time makes up for daily taxi rental 

13:59 Why taxi drivers don't look out for street-hailers

17:46 How much taxi drivers benefited during the East-West Line MRT disruption in September 2024

23:01 The reason why taxi drivers always seems to be changing shift during peak travel hours

25:39 Advice for those considering joining the trade

Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

Read more Transport articles: https://str.sg/KHyM

Host: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected])

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow Wheel Insights Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#wheelinsights

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Straits Times PodcastsBy The Straits Times

  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3

4.3

10 ratings


More shows like The Straits Times Podcasts

View all
Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

533 Listeners

Motley Fool Money by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool Money

3,221 Listeners

CNBC's "Fast Money" by CNBC

CNBC's "Fast Money"

1,362 Listeners

World Business Report by BBC World Service

World Business Report

284 Listeners

Bloomberg Businessweek by Bloomberg

Bloomberg Businessweek

433 Listeners

WSJ Tech News Briefing by The Wall Street Journal

WSJ Tech News Briefing

1,639 Listeners

FT News Briefing by Financial Times

FT News Briefing

661 Listeners

Behind the Money by Financial Times

Behind the Money

224 Listeners

Yah Lah But by Ministry of Funny

Yah Lah But

17 Listeners

Thoughts on the Market by Morgan Stanley

Thoughts on the Market

1,304 Listeners

The Daily Ketchup by The Daily Ketchup

The Daily Ketchup

6 Listeners

The Markets by Goldman Sachs

The Markets

74 Listeners

Money Talks by CNA

Money Talks

1 Listeners

Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition by Bloomberg

Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition

10 Listeners

Big Take Asia by Bloomberg

Big Take Asia

23 Listeners