August 2011, Singapore – Who would have imagined Singapore’s taxis making it to the top five in the world. Well at least according to travellers who responded to an annual taxi report compiled by hotel booking website HOTELS.COM. Why am I not surprised with some of the results!
5000 travellers from 23 countries were asked their views on various aspects of travelling by taxi. Despite also being named the most expensive (with 20% of the vote), London’s taxis beat off competition from New York (favourite amongst 9% of travellers) and Hong Kong (third with 7% of the vote). Singapore and Tokyo completed the global top five receiving 7% and 6% of the vote
respectively, displacing the German city of Berlin and capital of Thailand, Bangkok from last year’s top five.
New York’s famous yellow taxi cabs won the best availability accolade with 32% of the vote, despite being perceived to have the worst knowledge of the area (11% voting them worst).
Almost a third (30%), of travellers thought Bangkok’s infamous Tuk Tuk represented the best value for money, although it was also voted worst in the world for ‘Quality of Driving’ with 32% of the vote, along with having the worst cleanliness and safety, gaining an unimpressive 22% and 36% share of the vote respectively.
Other findings include:
From the airport
The research found that taxis are still by far the most popular method of travel from airport to hotel, 54% of travellers choose a taxi over getting the train (16%), boarding a bus (16%) or walking (2%). Specific to Singapore, 95% of local travellers surveyed say they prefer to cab it to the airport.
Lost & found
Travellers around the globe reported a number of interesting items they’ve lost in taxis around the world. One Korean traveller reported losing a dried cuttle fish, a Norwegian unfortunately lost his/her wedding ring and an Italian even reported losing her bra! A few Singaporeans on the other hand listed down shoes as their strangest items ever lost in a cab.
Tips
Argentinians are the worst tippers, 34% confessing to never tipping their taxi drivers. Hong Kong residents are the most generous, with almost half (48%) choosing to tip 20% of the fare or more. Singaporeans are most likely to round up the fare instead (47.7%).
Safety
All 23 countries put safety as the most important thing when taking a taxi ride, apart from Italians who deemed ‘cleanliness’ numero uno, ahead of safety that came in second place!
Pet peeves
Fresh air plays a vital role in ensuring a happy taxi journey. Drivers with strong body odour were listed as a pet peeve among 55% of voters worldwide, while smoking at the wheel is frowned upon across the globe with 33% of Brits and 26% of Singaporeans voting against it.
Cut the chat
Koreans are the least appreciative of conversation on the road, with 37% admit to hating ‘chatty drivers.’ Singaporeans also weren’t keen on making small talk, with one in five respondents labelling chatty drivers as one of their biggest dislikes!
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