EVERY day for three months, cabby Ahmad Haji Arshad ferried Madam Judy Kee to and from work as the Sembawang resident recovered from knee surgery.
Mr Ahmad charged Madam Kee, a secretary, a flat rate of $15 for the trip to Raffles Place and also did away with booking fees - sacrifices that cost him at least $350 in all.
"I cannot imagine how she could go to work and back by trains and buses in her condition," said the ComfortDelGro taxi driver.
For that act of kindness, Mr Ahmad, 56, was one of 195 people who received the National Courtesy Award - Transport Gold during a ceremony yesterday. More than 1,500 employees in the sector have been honoured since the award was started in 2000.
It goes to front-line staff, including drivers and customer service assistants, in the public transport industry.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Teo Ser Luck was guest of honour yesterday and handed out the awards. The honours are organised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Traffic Police, the Singapore Kindness Movement and the country's 12 public transport companies, including ComfortDelGro and SBS Transit.
Potential recipients are assessed on attributes such as helpfulness and courtesy. Commendation letters from clients are also considered, along with internal recommendations based on performance appraisals.
It was Mr Ahmad's willingness to go the extra mile that impressed Madam Kee, 42, who wrote a letter lauding his kindness.
She said: "When I rode in Mr Ahmad's taxi, it was as good as being driven by a friend. He was always so chatty and caring."
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Oct 21, 2008.
