Singapore taxi driver says passengers vomited in cab, offered S$10 and called him a “beggar”

A Singapore taxi driver alleged that he was verbally abused and denied compensation after two passengers vomited in the back seat of his taxi during the early hours of 21 December 2025.

According to the driver, who wished to be known as Sam, the incident occurred shortly after he picked up two passengers in the early morning.

He said the vomit spilled across the right rear seat of his vehicle.

In a Facebook post published on 21 December 2025, Sam alleged that the passengers appeared intoxicated and refused to compensate him for the cleaning. He said they were only willing to offer S$10.

Passengers allegedly refuse compensation and hurl abuse

Sam also alleged that the passengers verbally abused him, calling him a “beggar”, before leaving the taxi.

He said he declined to accept the S$10, adding that the insult compounded the distress of the situation.

According to Sam’s account, the passengers were dropped off at How Sun Drive at about 4.02am.

The vomiting occurred before the drop-off, rendering the taxi temporarily unusable.

Taxi rendered unusable, income lost for the night

Sam said he spent at least 45 minutes cleaning the taxi.

He added that security personnel on night duty witnessed the condition of the vehicle when he approached them to request water for cleaning.

As a result of the incident, Sam said he was unable to pick up further passengers for the remainder of the night.

He stated that this caused a loss of income for his family.

“It was a shame of their actions bullying a taxi driver,” Sam wrote in his post.

He added that he works through the night to earn modest income for his children’s education and household expenses.

Driver appeals for respect towards taxi profession

Sam urged the public not to look down on taxi drivers, describing driving a taxi as a decent and honest profession.

He added that some drivers have academic qualifications but choose to live quietly and humbly.

Further details about Sam’s circumstances were shared in a report by Mothership.

According to the report, Sam’s daughter said that he drives a ComfortCab Prius Hybrid and supports a family of seven.

She said that Sam works two jobs, with taxi driving being one of them.

He has reportedly been a taxi driver for over two years and works six days a week, from 8am to 8pm.

His daughter added that he supports her studies overseas and helps finance his son’s medical education.

Online reactions highlight wider problem faced by drivers

The incident sparked extensive discussion online, with many netizens sharing similar experiences involving intoxicated passengers.

Some expressed sympathy and frustration over what they described as frequent abuse faced by drivers.

One netizen commented that S$10 was insufficient even for a basic car wash, adding that the offer showed a lack of respect for the driver’s livelihood.

Another netizen shared that his father had been a taxi driver for 15 years and frequently encountered abusive drunk passengers.

He said his father would sometimes drive directly to the nearest police station to de-escalate situations.

At the same time, the netizen cautioned against generalising or associating such incidents with any particular race or ethnicity.

He said that framing incidents irresponsibly could unfairly target entire communities.

Another commenter recounted an incident involving his wife, who was driving a taxi when a drunk passenger vomited and made racist remarks.

He said professional cleaning later cost S$95 and required days to remove the odour.

Calls for stronger protection and clearer compensation rules

Several netizens noted that drivers often lose a full day’s income when such incidents occur.

They said passengers should be required to compensate not only cleaning costs but also lost earnings.

Others called on authorities to implement stricter rules to protect taxi and private-hire vehicle drivers.

Some suggested mandatory compensation guidelines or clearer enforcement mechanisms.

According to information published on ComfortDelGro’s official website, taxi drivers encountering such incidents are advised to remain calm and assist nauseous passengers where possible, including by providing plastic bags.

The company advised drivers not to reprimand passengers if an accident occurs. In cases requiring cleaning, drivers are instructed to report the incident to Driver Relations Officers.

ComfortDelGro stated that drivers may submit cleaning receipts or inform the company of the time taken to clean the vehicle. Each case is reviewed individually, with assistance provided where possible.