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-   -   SIN Do's in Feb and Mar (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/communitybuzz/194384-sin-dos-feb-mar.html)

gfowler-ord-1k Feb 24, 2003 1:39 am


Originally posted by essxjay:
portions deleted...
Cabs are CHEAP in SIN -- like SD$4-8 to go from the CBD to Orchard Road

Be careful on cab charges as some cabbies will throw in extra charges. The expecially happens to foreigners when traveling from the airport to hotels. Watch out for charges that are shown in the "Extras" part of the meter on the right. There should be a S$3 charge for the airport plus a 50% surcharge of the metered fare (on the left) if after midnight. Other legit charges include ERP (tolls displayed on a separate meter), holiday charges, etc. The tariff is displayed in very fine print on the window sticker.

Do not accept any rides from people that aproach you at the airport unless you wish to part with your excess funds. Typical fare from the airport to hotels like Raffles or Conrad should be about S$14 daytime, S$20 after midnight.

Below are some excerpts from recent emails with the Comfort Cab company after my orginal phone complaint. If you think you are overcharged, get the taxi license number, driver's name as displayed on license and phone nuber of the taxi company (displayed on several places on the cab). Ask the driver for explanation all charges. If you dispute them, ask the bellman at the hotel to call the police to arbitrate before paying anything. This was with a Comfort Cab driver but I had a similar situation with a driver from another company.

Emails follow:

Dear Mr gfowler-ord-1k

We refer to your report lodged with us on 16th January 2003 and our subsequent reply to you with regard to the above matter.

We apologise for the inconvenience and unpleasantness caused.

We have investigated into the matter and the driver concerned has been issued a warning against his misconduct. Our driver concerned has explained that he had accidentally keyed the surcharge amount on that incident day and
would like us to extend his sincere apologies to you for the misunderstanding that may have caused. At the same time, we would ensure
that his service performance be closely monitored.

The said report has been recorded under the driver's profile which will demerit his performance appraisal and we will not hesitate to review his hiring agreement should there be any recurrence or adverse report from the public.

We would like to thank you for bringing the matter to our attention.

Yours sincerely
My reply

Thank you for your followup on this matter. However I do not believe it was accidental as the driver told you. Several minutes before arrival at the Stamford Hotel, I saw the driver add the charge. I saw him do something to the meter and it displayed "Advance". I believe (but am not sure) that he did this five times to increase the fare by $5. You can check with someone in your company that is familiar with the meter operation to verify how this is actually done. On arrival at the hotel I asked for an explanation of the $5 surcharge. His first answer was that it was for $5 airport surcharge. I replied that he had (correctly) entered the $3 airport charge when we left the airport. At that point he told me that I did not have to pay the $5. At no time did he say to me that it was "accidental". I suspect he decided not to charge me because I knew what the fare rates should be.

If this happens to me again I am going to call the police and refuse to pay the fare untill the police arrive and arbitrate the matter. Again I thank you for following up on this. Drivers like him give your company a bad reputation which is not deserved.
Their reply back


Dear Mr gfowler-ord-1k

We thank you for your feedback. We would definitely monitor this driver's service performance closely.
My next SIN trip will be Mar. 17-23.
------------------
gfowler-ord-1k
Living in SIN

[This message has been edited by gfowler-ord-1k (edited 02-24-2003).]

Plato90s Feb 24, 2003 5:15 am


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kokonutz:
Plato: Solution: be a Diamond http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. I'll be glad to bring you to the Lounge as my guest http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif!!!!!</font>
Well, I doubt I'll ever make HHonor Diamond but I'm certainly open to being friendly with one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

At this point, I think I will stick with the Hilton but drinks either at the Conrad or another locale certainly seems to be in order.

Plato90s Feb 27, 2003 4:00 pm

So it looks for for 3/21 - 3/23, at least these following people will be in SIN

gfowler-ord-1k
essxjay
kokonutz
DFWTripGuy (possible)

Anyone for either dinner or drinks on the night of the 22nd?

Dogstar Feb 27, 2003 8:40 pm

And for 14Mar03 - 16Mar03:

Dogstar
MPC1


Any others? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

bseller Feb 28, 2003 4:59 am

I'm scheduled to arrive approx midnite on Saturday 3/15....planning a quick trip to either Newton or La Pau Sat for a "midnite snack" if any of the mid March runners are available. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hotel as yet unknown, but if a "late dinner" appeals to anyone, please let me know.
Best wishes!

avek00 Feb 28, 2003 7:41 am


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ChicagoBound:
It looks like I'll be in SIN from Friday night, March 7 through Monday morning, March 10. I would love to meet up with anyone who's going to be there or who already lives there. I'll buy! Don't know where I'm staying yet.

-----------
ChicagoBound - formerly PremEx2000 (wrong year, wrong status!)
</font>
Are you free the evening of the 9th?


------------------
Thank you for choosing Continental Airlines, a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance.

kluau88 Mar 3, 2003 1:23 pm

Anyone in SIN March 8 or 9?


avek00 Mar 3, 2003 5:29 pm


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kluau88:
Anyone in SIN March 8 or 9?

</font>
I'm able to meet up on the 9th. Would you mind dropping me an email?


------------------
Thank you for choosing Continental Airlines, a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance.

[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 03-04-2003).]

RDY3238 Mar 4, 2003 7:40 pm

Just enjoyed a stay at the Conrad. Early check in at 6.00am. Gold u/grade to business floor (22nd) Comp breakfast 4th floor pool dining room. Walk from City Hall MRT to Hotel in the A/C City Walk link.
Left the Bear in the room.

kluau88 Mar 4, 2003 7:51 pm


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by avek00:
I'm able to meet up on the 9th. Would you mind dropping me an email?

</font>
Um, your email isn't in your profile.


seanthewaiter Mar 4, 2003 9:43 pm

Well, I get in tonight on UA881 (March 5th)

Out tomorrow on UA806 (March 6th)

I was lucky enough to get them to check me into my flight tomorrow, so can go to town and still get back airside....

Anyone there too... email me & we can grab a bite!

DFWTripGuy Mar 5, 2003 12:08 pm

How truely sad I am, but SIN in March is not going to work with my schedule. Hopefully this fall.

Plato90s Mar 10, 2003 4:22 pm

(bump)

FlyMan Mar 10, 2003 4:46 pm

Anyone in April? I will be there in mid/April...

Plato90s Mar 15, 2003 2:32 pm

I'm actually getting a bit worried by the recent reports of a serious (1 fatality already) flu-like virus in HKG and southern China.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2853185.stm

Granted, I'm not going anywhere near there but it's certainly something on my mind. Anyone else?


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