SINGAPORE: Whenever older passengers remark that they see fewer taxi drivers these days, Mr Delon Tuan responds with “a very realistic comment” that he believes some of them “might not stomach well”.
The 38-year-old is not the only millennial who gamely joined a sunset industry – or who has passengers point out his youth.
“They will say, ‘Oh miss, you’re young, why do you start driving taxi?’ These are the questions I get which means they are taking notice and it’s making some change somewhere, a step at a time. It’s a very good sign for me,” said the taxi driver who’s been with ComfortDelGro for just over half a year.
The skills Ms Noh picked up as an interior designer, from the long hours spent managing projects to dealing with all sorts of clients, ended up coming in handy as a taxi driver. “I don’t think people will go and notice the private-hire decal. But when you’re a taxi driver, that ‘hat’ on top of your car is very easy to identify.”
Then there is the juggling act of having to be an encyclopaedia, street directory and tour guide at once, two drivers shared. She had assumed driving a taxi “should be quite easy”, simply ferrying a passenger from point A to B. Mr Tuan, who also runs a business in Hong Kong, considers himself outgoing and enjoys interacting with passengers. He has even become a “regular driver” for some of his passengers-turned-friends.“When I see somebody not having a good day, I say hi, ask how their day is. Sometimes when they just talk about their job, they will release their energy and stress. It’s like a short therapy session,” she said.
Another time, she told her daughter about a “very interesting” couple from China who flew to Singapore just to give a letter to the Prime Minister. She sought the advice of other taxi drivers before taking the grateful couple to the Treasury to deliver their letter. “Say, in a congested area, it’s almost impossible for you to overtake or change lanes. But when you signal right, and on the right side, there is a taxi, he will slow down and give way,” he said.Mr Delon Tuan, 38, considers himself outgoing and extroverted, and enjoys interacting with passengers. But getting the most out of the job, whether it's pay or purpose, ultimately boils down to the individual’s mindset, Mr Tuan believes.
Taxi drivers can also wait at taxi stands when they're not out and about. Private-hire drivers, however, risk getting a fine if they choose to hang around certain areas just waiting for a call, he added.