It is true that with Grab and Uber's foray into the transport business, the level of commuting convenience has generally improved (Private-hire cars add to commuting convenience, by Mr Anthony Ng Seet Boo; Sept 6).

Prompt and better service, as well as shorter waiting times, are plus factors associated with private-hire cars.

For too long our conventional cabbies have adopted a nonchalant attitude towards commuters, as they have the notion that the demand is more than the supply.

It did not help that public complaints against errant cabbies had not produced any positive result, and that some commuters chose to remain silent and put up with poor service, long waiting times and other bugbears.

The increasingly competitive environment has made cabbies realise that they need to pull up their socks if they want to continue driving for a living.

Seemingly, the situation is looking up, and this augurs well for the future.

While I am cognisant of the good work of the National Taxi Association in championing the rights and welfare of drivers, it is equally important for the association to educate its members on the importance of good commuter service and decorum.

In other words, we should give credit to exemplary drivers and, at the same time, appropriately caution the errant ones.

Jeffrey Law Lee Beng