That elusive coin box…

That elusive coin box ...

I often wonder how taxi drivers keep their coins when they ply their trade. Most of them simply throw all their coins in a small pouch or just put them in a container placed somewhere in the driving cab. When it comes to changing coins, it could be quite a problem cuz some of the different coin denominations are quite similar between the new and old coins in circulation. I’m referring to the new 50 cents and and old 20 cents coins which are similar in size and shape. Often we exchange the wrong coins giving out mistakenly the new 50 cents for the 20 cents coins to pax.

The endless confusion over the 2 types of coins.

After so many years even up till today, we still have the old and new coins existing simultaneously in circulation. Why can’t they just replace all the old coins with the new coins? Why are we still having old and new coins in circulation? Are we keeping those old coins cuz of nostalgia or what? Two systems (types) in a country currency creating so much confusion and havoc? Think of the countless vending machines and supermarket trolleys etc…

Even before I became a taxi driver, I was wondering how to solve this coin problem since we need to carry around lots of loose coins and smaller notes whenever pax pay for their fare at the end of the journey. To dump all the coins in a small pouch could be quite a challenge when we need to return the change. But then, the easy way out is to simply throw all the coins in a small coin pouch.

Lao Si's personal coin pouch. It's quite ok for own use but not practical for taxi drivers.

Our competitor thought about this issue and came out with a specially custom made coin box for their taxi drivers. It’s quite nice and neatly organized. So much better than a typical coin pouch. Since day 01, I’ve been trying out the different types of coin pouches, containers and even that coin box used by our competitor. Except for that customized coin box used by our competitor, I find all of them not practical at all. I need a permanent solution cuz I do not wish to use that customized coin box by our competitor.

The customised coin box used by competitor. Even that got limitation. It's either all new or all old coins. No tolerance for 2 systems here!

The search for the ideal coin box began even before I signed up for the new taxi. Whenever I passed by any shops selling boxes or containers, I would pop in to check on the suitability of a coin box. I had the measurements of the small compartment of the taxi located beside the driver seat. I intended to place the coin box conveniently there – just beside the driver seat.

The side compartment of driver seat.

It's actually meant for water bottles or can drinks.

Just before my new taxi hit the road, I managed to get the near perfect coin box for my new i40 taxi. It fits perfectly on the small compartment just beside the driver seat. It doesn’t move or shift at all. It sits snugly there and it’s easily removed with a little tad of force. Now, I could separate all my coins – whether it’s new or old coins. All the one dollar gold coins and 50 cents coins are stored in the small compartment. The rest of the coin denominations i.e. 5 cents, 10 cents and 20 cents are on the other side – the much bigger compartment. I could even leave smaller notes such as $2 or $5 notes at the bottom of the coin box below the lid. It’s so convenient and organized now.

It's now neat and systematic. No more confusion over old and new coins.

More or less I’ve solved my coin problem. It costs only $3 for that coin box. I bought it from a stationary shop at West Plaza; Pasir Ris opposite the 7-eleven store. It’s actually a lunch box used by school children and now I’ve improvised it as my personal coin box inside my taxi. For those driving i40 taxi model, do check it out yourself.