1984 taxi boycott?

I came across a mention about a 1984 'taxi boycott' in one of Mr Brown's postings (by way of Tomorrow.sg) and I wondered if this was indeed mentioned in any newspaper in 1984. Since the databases I usually refer to contain files up to 1985, I submitted a reference enquiry to NLB's Reference Point and received this detailed response which I thought was really good:


"Yes there was mention in the newspaper about a taxi fare hike and subsequent "boycotting" of taxis by the public, but this was in April 1985. You can refer to the journal articles below which analyse what happened.


1. Citation
Source: Singapore Business
Title: Taxi fares: an alternative proposal
Author: Wee Chow Hou and Mohd Abdur Razzaque
Issue Information: Vol. 9 Issue 5, May 1985
Page No.: 3-11
Total no of pgs: 9
Call No.: RCLOS 380.1095957 SB

Description: This article outlines the reasons behind the taxi fare hike, the details of the new fare structure, and a survey of the aftermath. It quotes a Straits Times article on 2nd April 1985 saying that on April 1st, the 1st day of the fare increase, the drop in taxi demand was 40-80%. The authors offer a new fare structure in light of this affair.

Availability: At Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Please approach staff at level 11 information counter for assistance in retrieval.

Last accessed date: 02 Jan 2008


2. Citation
Source: Singapore Transport
Title: Future prospects of taxi service in Singapore
Author: Sam Chong Keen
Issue Information: Vol. 2 issue 4, September 1986
Page No.: 15-17
Total no of pgs: 3
Call No.: RSING 388.4095957 ST
Description: Gives a historical background on Singapore's taxi fleet and system from the perspective of NTUC Comfort, and describes the market conditions before 1985. It briefly mentions the fare hike and some possible plans for the future in light of the unexpected public reaction.

Availability: At Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, level 11, open shelf

Last accessed date: 02 Jan 2008


3. Citation
Name: JSTOR
Source: Asian Survey
Title: Singapore in 1985: Managing Political Transition and Economic Recession
Author: Chan Heng Chee
Issue Information: Vol. XXVI No. 2 Feb 1986
Page No.: 158-167
Total no of pgs: 10
Description: See page 162 which mentions the fare hike attempt.

Availability: JSTOR

Last accessed date: 02 Jan 2008

Hope you find the information useful."