When the Only Fastest Way Is to Park
In the midst of a lingering COVID‑19 crisis, taxi and private‑hire drivers are desperate for the first ride that comes their way. Some even camp out in parking lots, paying extra for every minute they wait before a passenger finally hops in.
Dr. Chow’s Eye‑Opening Encounter
On May 5, Dr. Chow Minyang, a surgeon at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, posted a stirring story on Facebook after an unforgettable ride with a Grab driver. He confessed that he noticed a strange pattern: the same Grab driver would reach him in under 20 seconds every time he booked from the hospital.
Seeking answers, Dr. Chow chatted with the driver, who revealed the secret: the driver parks right in front of the hospital and waits for any passenger to book. “If I’m not the nearest, I won’t get a fare,” he explained. “The parking lot is the short‑stop for Grab drivers.”
The driver even brought a snack to the curb, saying, “A piece of pie while I wait is worth every parking fee.” Yet, despite a chunk of the fare going to parking costs, he felt satisfied just having a ride.
Parking Fees at Tan Tock Seng
- Monday‑Saturday, 7 am–6 pm: $2.40 per hour
- 6 pm–7 am, Sundays, and public holidays: $2.40 per entry
Such price tags can eat into a driver’s little earnings, especially when he was forced to skip his son’s birthday celebration after piling up the bills for petrol, season parking, and a rental car. “I can go hungry, but I don’t want my family to be hungry,” he told Dr. Chow.
A Call to Kindness
Dr. Chow fled the story with a gentle reminder: “For every Grab driver like Uncle, there are countless more. Everyone’s struggling. Let’s open our eyes, go the extra mile, and share a little more love. We’re all in this together.”
Economic Woes Beyond Drivers
The COVID wave and circuit breaker have drastically cut down demand for taxis and private‑hire cars. Locals stay home, and tourists vanish because of travel bans. Amid this slump, drivers like Ramalingam Kulanthivel have had earnings tumble by over 70 %. Others, like Grab, have felt the squeeze too.
In a letter to drivers on April 29, Grab cautioned that some staff could go on no‑pay leave and that the company might no longer afford extra financial support if the circuit breaker extended past June 1. Senior executives reportedly took a 20 % wage cut. Grab still offers drivers a Weekly Cover capped at $85, on top of the government’s Special Relief Fund: $300 per vehicle per month for eligible drivers.
Despite these measures, the difficult road ahead remains. The pandemic has made it harder than ever for drivers, companies, and passengers alike to keep the wheels turning.
