In a viral social media post shared on Sunday, December 22, 2025, a Singaporean taxi driver named Loo Sam detailed a distressing encounter with two intoxicated passengers. The incident has sparked a debate online regarding the treatment of transport workers and the lack of etiquette among late-night commuters.
The Incident: Vomit and Verbal Abuse
The confrontation took place in the early hours of Saturday, December 21 on Facebook. According to Sam, he picked up two men who appeared heavily intoxicated.
- The Mess: During the journey, the passengers allegedly vomited extensively in the rear seat. Sam described the stench as an “enormously awful” mix of “undigested curry and alcohol.”
- The Insult: When Sam requested compensation for professional cleaning and the resulting loss of income, the passengers reportedly offered only S$10.00.
- The Abuse: When the driver voiced his dissatisfaction with the amount, the passengers reportedly verbally abused him, calling him a “beggar.”
“I swallowed my pride and did not accept the $10 compensation, especially being called a beggar,” Sam wrote on Facebook, explaining that taking the money would have felt like accepting the insult.
Impact on Livelihood
For taxi and private-hire (PHV) drivers, a vomiting incident isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a financial blow.
- Loss of Income: Sam noted that the mess prevented him from picking up further passengers for the remainder of his shift.
- Family Responsibility: Sam’s daughter told news outlet Mothership that her father works the night shift specifically to fund his children’s education expenses and support the family.
Singapore’s “Vomit Policy” & Driver Rights
Under standard operating procedures for major platforms like Grab, Gojek, and Tada, drivers are actually entitled to significantly more than S$10:
| Platform | Recommended/Maximum Cleaning Fee | Requirement |
| Grab | Up to S$120 | Photos + Professional Receipt |
| Tada | Up to S$70 | Photos + Professional Receipt |
| ComfortDelGro | Case-by-case basis | Incident Report + Receipt |
Advice for Drivers: Authorities and taxi operators generally advise drivers not to clean the mess themselves. Instead, they should:
- Take Photos: Document the damage immediately.
- Professional Cleaning: Go to an authorized car wash and keep the receipt.
- File a Report: Submit the receipt to the operator or the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for reimbursement from the passenger’s registered account.
Netizens React
The post has garnered hundreds of comments, with many Singaporeans calling for the passengers to be permanently banned from ride-hailing apps. Some suggested that Sam should have driven the passengers directly to a police station to file a report for “public nuisance” and “damage to property.”