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4 Ways Taxi Companies In Singapore Can Improve
From the perspective of a taxi company, the role of a business owner is not exactly the same as other businesses. In Singapore, taxi companies are a blend of service provider, transport and landlord (for renting the vehicles) - all in one.
With the recent invasion of Uber and consumer spending getting more frugal, how can a taxi company stay relevant in Singapore?
In line with our mission to fight the consumers' corner (helping Singaporeans get more for their money), we at GET.com have 4 suggestions for taxi companies here to consider when it comes to retaining taxi drivers and getting more business in return:
1. Invest In The Cabbies’ Well-Being
Even though taxi drivers are not considered as ‘employees’ of the taxi companies, they are still the face and body and soul of the taxi company.
Taxi companies could incorporate some kind of group health insurance plan for their drivers, and allow a certain amount of rent-free days for when the driver doesn’t feel physically or emotionally well enough to drive.
When the cabbies feel they are cared for as humans, they are more likely to be happier drivers, and that can also lead to a more positive image for the taxi company.
2. Improve On Technology
This is the age when people are relying more on their tablets, smartphones and computers than newspapers and TV. Thus the most natural way to reach your target audience would be having a company app that commuters find useful. It should be easy to navigate and have an attractive design to entice people.
The app could be personalised to remember commuters’ most frequently visited places and birthdays. As rewards are always the best way to make people happy, companies can better retain customers by linking them up with discounts and birthday fares.
Make your business a part of customer’s life and these customers will find it hard to leave.
3. Set Up An Online Forum
In cases where the mainstream media do not cover, the public will take the issue online. These days, online reviews and discussions tend to travel faster and have better penetration than what is reported on the TV.
Taxi companies can set up a forum where members of public can post their compliments (only compliments!) on the platforms for all to see.
The forum should allow commuters to upload pictures of cabbies and share how these cabbies made their journey an enjoyable one. This can encourage taxi drivers to improve, giving them a moral boost on their mundane job when they best need it.
Such sharing of positive stories also cultivates kindness among commuters towards cabbies. On the other hand, taxi companies should give some rewards for the good cabbies and post it on the forum (of course!) to show that the companies are appreciative of the cabbies’ good service.
Once a month (or more frequent if resources allow), the forum master can post an interview with some good cabbies to let the public understand better about our cabbies, and that they are human after all with their own life perspectives, family views and work attitude.
This will shorten the distance between commuters and cabbies, and serves as indirect advertisements for taxi companies.
4. Upgrade/Improve Existing Tools For Cabbies
Directions and routes are essential to a cabbie’s livelihood. Taxi companies can help their drivers to be more efficient by improving its GPS system, so as to better track their customers and cabbies’ behaviour. The GPS system can also recommend best routes to a destination for cabbies to list out for commuters to choose, and prompt taxi drivers of any traffic jams or road blocks to avoid.
Another suggestion is to have an "emergency" button built-in for cabbies to press when a passenger tries to rob/physically abuse the cabbie. This will ensure the safety of both passengers and cabbie.
What do you think? Share your comments with us below!
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