Go-Jek drivers/Go-Jek Facebook Page
Photo: Go-Jek drivers/Go-Jek Facebook Page
4 m read
"We are not your slaves": Go-Jek driver delivers a powerful 9-point list of how passengers can be way more considerate of drivers
On January 8, Go-Jek driver Debbie Simpson Ong published an impassioned post on Facebook, calling upon all passengers to stop the "I pay, you listen" attitude, citing the many challenges that private-hire vehicle drivers face in Singapore, plus the immediate need for consideration and respect from passenger to driver. After having accidentally deleted her post, she re-published it today.
The nine-point list is strong, powerfully delivered and extremely vehement. She does not name names or cite specific instances, but it's clear that she has experienced difficult, inconsiderate and entitled passengers one too many times.
"Don't force drivers to break the law for you," Ong said.
Check out the post below: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.ong.7/posts/2402408346500789"We drive to make a living, we are not your slaves," Ong said in her post.
Before getting upset, passengers should perhaps take a step back and check Ong's list out. At the end of the day, the goal is for driver and rider to get along, have mutual respect, and have a smooth, successful trip.
Ong starts out by saying that riders choose Go-Jek for its competitive prices, which are cheaper than most of the competition. She then launches into her nine points, which we have summarised below."Don't spoil your day and the driver's day," said Ong, after citing ways that passengers can be much more considerate toward private-hire vehicle drivers.
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Go-Jek does not have a function for multiple stops, so passengers should take note of that and not try to make drivers go to different destinations.
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Children below 1.35 meters are not allowed to sit in vehicles without booster seats, which is the law in Singapore. Passengers should call first to confirm whether the Go-Jek car has the proper seat.
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Go-Jek drivers are working an average of 12 hours per day, which amounts to around 24 trips in total. Passengers should be considerate of this and be on time for trips.
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Passengers should not make last-minute changes to their destinations. A different destination will dictate a different price. For those who want to change their destination, they should expect to pay the difference.
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Passengers should wait to be offered or should ask before just taking sweets or snacks that drivers have in their vehicles.
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Passengers should not eat or drink in the private-hire cars, and out of consideration to the drivers, anything taken in, such as food wrappers or empty bottles, should also be taken out.
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Passengers should refrain from being backseat drivers and let the drivers do their jobs without hassle or interruption.
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Passengers should abide by the law and put their seatbelts on.
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Passengers should not ask drivers to pick them up or drop them off at bus stops, taxi stands or no stopping areas.
"I am not saying all riders are like that, but many of you are. So, please do everyone a favour and stop behaving like a self-entitled brat. Don't spoil your day and the drivers day."
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