Taxi Tales: When a Ride Turns Into a “No‑Cash” Drama
Mr. Zheng, a seasoned Singapore taxi driver, had a Saturday that left him more frustrated than a driver stuck in a never‑ending traffic jam. He picked up a passenger from Terminal 1 at Changi Airport and was ready for a smooth haul to Bukit Panjang</b. Unfortunately, the ride turned into an unforeseen cash‑free fiasco.
The Sudden “I’ve Got Nothing” Twist
The driver recounted that the woman—who was fluent in both English and Mandarin and seemed perfectly grounded—boarded his seven‑seat taxi at about 3:45 pm on Sunday, April 18. He took her to Block 488 Segar Road as requested.
When they reached the destination, she pulled the classic “I don’t have any cash” script. “Her fare was over $50 and she’d only pay next day through her work credit card,” Mr. Zheng sighed. He tried to get her to call relatives for help, but the “no‑money” chorus continued.
What a Driver Does When the Meter Stops Chewing
Since the meter was still running—capped off only when she stepped out—he had no choice but to ring the police. While waiting, he watched the passenger sit calmly, a stark contrast to his tooth‑pulling dilemma.
Police Time: A Full‑Speed Chase for the Big Bucks
Once the police arrived, both parties gave statements. The officers then whisked her up to the building’s lobby to retrieve the fares from her sister—only to discover that the sister was also empty‑handed.
It wasn’t until after a long afternoon of waiting that Mr. Zheng finally realised that his earnings for the day had evaporated. “I had to wait until the streetlights dimmed. The final fare was $57.50—but I didn’t get a single cent,” he lamented.
True Heroes, True Hang‑Ups
Luckily, because it was a Sunday, no parking fees ran amok. Mr. Zheng had also reached out to his fellow drivers via group chat—some even volleyed small, quirky rumors (like the woman’s hair being “curly” or whether the event took place at Senja Road).
Notably, this passenger had previously run into a fellow cabbie just a week ago, suggesting a pattern of fare evasion. Mr. Zheng, who boasts seven years of experience, said it was the first case where a driver claimed simply that they had no money at all, something that had left him uneasy.
Why He Went Public
Feeling protective of his peers, he decided to turn the cautionary tale into a public side‑sgn. “I don’t want other drivers to get stuck on the same endless waiting loop,” he said, hoping to create awareness and perhaps spark more supportive ways to handle cash‑free passengers.
While the day ended a bit lighter in the rear seat—no fares earned—Mr. Zheng’s story reminds the entire taxi community to keep their wits sharp and adapt to those “no‑cash” situations that sometimes pop up without warning.
