I don't think it's true at all that it's easy to get a cab in Singapore. If you're in the downtown area anytime close to rush hour it's practically impossible

I don't think it's true at all that it's easy to get a cab in Singapore. If you're in the downtown area anytime close to rush hour it's practically impossible to get a cab without reserving one in advance (which costs extra), or waiting in line at a designated "taxi stand" for an unacceptably long time. Personally I think that part of the reason the government no longer allows street hails downtown (even for cabs) is an acknowledgment of this problem.