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Fri, Jan 09, 2009
my paper
Free wireless Internet in this cab

by Kenny Chee

STEP into Mr Mohamed Rafee Naina's taxi and surf the Internet or send an e-mail message on his laptop - for free.

Need to print out that electronic air ticket in a hurry? Just ask for his printer.

The 47-year-old CityCab driver, who has been driving for 15 years, said he initially offered such perks to beat recession blues.

Now, they have become such a hit that every day he has to turn down at least five to six passengers who want to hire his taxi again.

"I just wouldn't be able to cope and it's not cost efficient for me to drive an empty taxi to a faraway place to pick up a customer," he told my paper.

The services he provides have come in handy - as seven passengers found out.

They were rushing to the airport and did not print out their air tickets. The printer saved the day for them, said Mr Rafee.

The tips he gets from happy customers more than offset the costs he incurs from providing his value-added services, he said.

Already, he is planning to put a hand massager in the taxi for his passengers.

Freelance photographer Izam Sallim, 33, tipped off Stomp about Mr Rafee's services.

"He goes all out to provide Internet access in his taxi, which is rare in Singapore," he said.

kennyc@sph.com.sg



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