Taxi drivers seem to be still playing the cat-and-mouse game with commuters.

The problem was most acute in the days before the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa.

On Jan 28, while waiting for half an hour at Raffles Link for a taxi, I saw many with the green light on, signalling their availability, cruising by without stopping.

I noted the number of one taxi and when I used my phone to book a taxi, lo and behold, that taxi arrived in three minutes. I had to pay the call surcharge.

On the same afternoon, I was at the taxi stand at IMM. Many taxis dropped off passengers but none stopped in front of the long queue of waiting commuters.

When I made a phone booking for a taxi, one arrived in two minutes and again I had to pay for the call surcharge.

Last Saturday, I was laden with bags of vegetables and meat after shopping for groceries while I waited in Jurong East Avenue 1 for a taxi.

Several taxis dropped off passengers at the nearby market but refused to pick up commuters by the road.

Again, I managed to get a taxi within three minutes of calling for one on my phone.

I am tired of playing this cat-and-mouse game with taxi drivers. This problem should be resolved as soon as possible.

I have had no difficulty hailing a taxi in Malaysia, Jakarta and Bangkok.

This "shortage" of taxis is unique to Singapore.

Heng Cho Choon