Cabby Ricky Goh says it's not worth paying $4 to enter the CBD if his cab ends up cruising empty. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

Cabby Ricky Goh has been avoiding the CBD since the five new ERP gantries kicked in last week.

'If we drive in and pay $4 in ERP charges and end up not picking up any passengers, who's going to subsidise us?' he asked.

Like Mr Goh, 55, most cabbies The Sunday Times spoke to are avoiding the city. Some are even reluctant to pick up passengers who make phone bookings.

Cabby William Fong said that to pick up a passenger at NTUC Centre in Marina Boulevard, a taxi driver has to first fork out $4 in ERP charges at the new gantries on Fullerton Road.

'It doesn't make sense for cabbies to pay so much to pick up a customer, so most of us are boycotting the area,' said Mr Fong, 34.

The office crowd is lamenting the lack of cabs during peak hours.

Financial analyst Jamie Ang, 28, had to wait 20 minutes before she got a cab on Thursday night. It usually took her less than 10 minutes to get one.

'Previously, cabs would be queuing to pick up passengers in the CBD during peak hours, but now the situation is reversed,' she said.

On Thursday evening, various taxi stands in the CBD had queues of at least 10 people each.

To help cabbies with the higher ERP charges, ComfortDelGro, the biggest taxi company here, is reimbursing drivers who pass through gantries.

Previously, cabbies could claim for ERP charges incurred should they be unable to pick up any passengers within 15 minutes during rush hour. Now, if a cabby accepts a booking only to find that the passenger is a no-show, he can also reclaim the ERP charges from the company.

TransCab is giving its drivers a $90 monthly cash rebate to help them deal with the higher ERP charges, while Smart Taxis' rebate is $30.

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