Last Sunday, I was going to meet a friend at Raffles City so I took a cab down. The normal route would be for the cab to take the CTE route and exit into Orchard Road near the Istana. Instead of turning into the CTE towards city, he took the route of Lavender Street all the way to Raffles Avenue. I even get to see Singapore Flyer close up!I wasn't very happy so I asked him why didn't he take the CTE route. He turned around and looked at me.Yes, he was wearing those cannot-see-the-eyes-dark-sunglasses like the Terminator, he didn't say a thing and just turned his head around again and continued his driving. For a moment, I felt that my life was in mortal danger and half-expecting him to pull out a gun. :pFor the rest of the journey, I just sucked thumb kept quiet and pretended to read my Businessweek magazine.By the time I reached Raffles City, the fare was $7.40. The usual fare would have been about $6! There was really no reason for him to take the Lavender Street route. It was more expensive and took a longer time.Ever since the taxi fare increased, I seemed to encounter more drivers taking the longer route with more traffic lights. I can't help but wonder if it was deliberate ploy.I'm really seriously thinking of getting my own car now. I don't want to put up with such drivers and put myself in their mercy anymore!