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Malaysia’s Taxi Services are well-known in the World for the Wrong Reason.

Many tourists have experienced being asked for exorbitant and high fees while local people as well had unpleasant experiences, including meeting taxi drivers that refused to take them or asked them to pay more or even rude and gangster behavior taxi drivers.

Taxi drivers also dictate their own terms and conditions. Taxi problem is affecting everyone who needs to take one.

I have lost count of how many times my friends who is visiting have complained to me about Malaysia’s Taxi Services .

Even with this not so pleasant image, the authority still did not do much about it.

Even more worrying, there were rape and rob cases involving taxi drivers in recent days.

Taxi drivers already get their long awaited Fare Increase.

The main reason for the hike is due to increases in operation and maintenance cost of vehicles, and also that most taxi drivers are not earn a decent living.

Ultimately with better incomes and fare increase, I believe taxi drivers would provide a better service to the benefit of everyone.

This would enable taxi drivers to earn more.

Please do not get me wrong, it is not that I do not like Malaysia’s taxi services. I believe No system is perfect, and Malaysia has lot’s of room to improve. 

Feel free to leave your comment about your Taxi Rides experience  or Views at the below comments box.

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Be ready to pay, say cabbies

By BAVANI M

IF YOU need a taxi during peak hours or have to go to an area with heavy traffic, be prepared to pay, cabbies are warning regular passengers in the Klang Valley.

The new taxi pricing structure announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz that came into force on Aug 1 along with other fare increases, may have put smiles on the faces of taxi drivers but has made regular taxi users unhappy.

The new rates, especially during peak hours, certainly gives cabbies a bonus for picking up passengers.

However, the situation may also have created the scenario whereby taxi drivers avoid using non-congested roads or picking passengers during non-peak hours.

A clear example was recently seen at the taxi queue in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur. Commuters who had been queuing up for long hours at the taxi stand had called StarMetro to complain that most of the drivers had refused to take them to their destination, and were instead making a beeline to areas like Bukit Bintang and KLCC.

But, what is really hurting commuters most is the congestion rates that the ministry had introduced, which are likening to daylight robbery.

Easy does it: A technician recalibrating the meter on a taxi.

According to the new rates, for taxis caught in a traffic jam, the fare is RM3 for the first three minutes, and jumps 10 sen for every subsequent 21 seconds, instead of the 45 seconds previously.

Passengers say that the new congestion rate is simply too high and is creating a situation whereby taxi drivers only want to work during peak periods.

“It’s like they (cabbies) are suffering from a ‘non-peak hour syndrome’,” IT executive Mary Gomez said.

“Before the price hike, it was impossible to get a taxi during peak hours, especially when it was raining. Even the taxis using the coupon system refused to take passengers. But now, they are so efficient because they can make double, sometimes even triple the fare, if they are stuck in a jam,” Gomez added.

Regular taxi users also say taxi drivers are no longer avoiding congested roads like before, and that some are actually using the jam-packed roads because they tend to make more money now.

One reader complained that when he took a taxi recently, the driver had used the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) instead of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) which was longer, but less congested.

While most city taxi drivers are laughing all the way to the bank, there are those who do feel sorry for regular passengers.

“The rates during congestion are definitely a killer,” said driver Peter Lai.

“I usually warn my customers beforehand that the meter would jump every 21 seconds when a taxi is stuck in a jam. It applies when the taxi stops at traffic lights, too,” Lai said.

Lai related the story of his friend, who took a customer from the Bukit OUG condominium in Jalan Kelang Lama to Mid Valley when the Movement to Abolish the ISA (GMI) rally took place two weeks ago.

“He was caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way and the meter registered a whopping RM45 when he reached Mid Valley,” he said.

Mass-Transit in Klang Valley (Transit) adviser Moaz Yusof Ahmad said he was not surprised to hear that cabbies were taking passengers through more congested routes.

“It’s what people would do if they could get away with it. The onus is on the passenger to insist on the route they want to take,” he said.

Moaz stressed that passengers must also lodge complaints with the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) if they had complaints on the service.

Sunlight Radio Taxi Service Sdn Bhd – the largest taxi company in the Klang Valley, with its cabs making up 60% of the total number on the road – said they did not see it as a problem.

“We have not received any complaints so far that our taxis are avoiding non-congested roads. In fact, there has not been any complaints even of high fees being charged,” said its discipline officer, Alina Juliana Mohamad.

“The meters we use are of the latest technology from Japan and there is no way it can be wrong,” she said.

“If the drivers refuse to use the meter or are choosy about their destination, then it’s another matter. Just give us their taxi number plate and we’ll know what to do,” she said.

A check with several taxi passengers in KL Sentral and Bukit Bintang revealed that most were agreeable to the new surcharge rate of RM3, up from RM2 previously, as well as the fact that passengers would be charged 10 sen for every subsequent 115m, instead of 150m previously.

Those who have complaints about errant taxi drivers can write in to the CVLB, Prime Minister’s Department, No. 18, Persiaran Perdana Aras 4, Blok Podium, Presint 2, 62652 Putrajaya.

From:thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/8/11/central/4490346&sec=central

Taxi drivers dictate terms and conditions

ON Saturday, taxi drivers in the Klang Valley started charging the new rates as set by the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board in the Prime Minister’s Department. The price increase was necessary to enable the group to earn a decent living in light of the current economic situation. StarMetro reporters went undercover to several hot spots in the Klang Valley to see the situation for themselves and found that 90% in the city still refuse to use the meter. Below are the reporters findings.

Case 1: Suria KLCC

I STARTED my day posing as an Indian tourist wearing a bright Punjabi suit and with a typical Indian accent. I walked up to a Chinese taxi driver at Suria KLCC. His name was Chai.

Making it clear: Taxi drivers at Plaza Bukit Bintang quoting their rates to ferry passengers to Suria KLCC.

He asked for RM15 to take me to Petaling Street which is only a stone’s throw away and quoted RM25 to go to Batu Caves. I was not surprised, in fact, I was expecting it. I agreed. It was obvious that the taxis here do not use meters. Chai told me that times were hard and with the escalating cost of living and higher operating and maintenance costs, taxi drivers had no choice but to fleece passengers like me (foreigners). He was nonetheless polite and respectful. A perfect gentleman I would say, except for the fact that he refused to use the meter. Despite a clear sign at the entrance of KLCC warning tourists of touts, the taxi drivers still come around without fear. – By PRIYA MENON

Case 2: BUKIT BINTANG

I WAS charged RM20 from BB Plaza to get to Suria KLCC. I was posing as an Arab tourist and braced myself for anything. I enquired if the destination was far and the taxi driver said yes. He even went on to say that it was the weekend and that there was heavy traffic. The drive however, took less than 10 minutes. During the drive, I asked about the use of meter and the taxi driver explained that this was the way they ran the business. “Everywhere you go, they usually charge without using meters. Besides, it is the weekend and the rates are different,” he said.

I went on to ask him about tourist sites and he told me about places like Batu Caves and the fireflies in Kuala Selangor. The driver said that it would cost RM60 to go to Batu Caves from Bukit Bintang. On my way back, I took off my disguise and hailed a cab from Suria KLCC to go to Petaling Street. This time, surprisingly, the driver used the meter.

When I reached my destination, he charged me an extra RM3, saying that the Government had increased the fare recently and even though he had not calibrated his meter, he had the right to ask for extra. I paid him. The driver, who only identified himself as Wong, said that he is a law abiding citizen and always uses the meter.

“I am not here to cheat people but I had no time to calibrate my meter because of the long queue at the centres,’’ Wong said. – By FAZLEENA AZIZ

Case 3: Jalan P. Ramlee

IT is a normal sight to see taxi drivers parking their vehicles besides Beach Club at Jalan P. Ramlee, KL and approaching clubbers to ask them if they wanted a taxi. This is my personal experience and I was apppoached by a driver at 10pm outside the Beach Club, claiming that he could take me to a place more happening than Beach Club. When I asked where this place was, he refused to tell me, saying that it was a surprise. I then asked him how much it would cost to get from Jalan P. Ramlee to KL Sentral and the driver told me it would cost between RM20 and RM30.

This is ridiculous as the surcharge was 100% more even at 10pm. According to CVLB guidelines, taxi drivers are allowed to charge 50% extra only after midnight. When I asked him whether he could use the taxi meter, he said no. I spoke to a few people working in the area and was told that taxi touts often ripped off tourists visiting the clubs there. It so happened that when I was there, a patrol car passed by with its siren blazing. The taxi drivers bolted away only to return within 15 minutes. – By STUART MICHAEL

Case 4: Subang Jaya

WHEN I approached the taxis at the corner of the SS15 commercial area, a few drivers quoted a flat rate of RM8 for a ride to Sunway Pyramid that takes about five minutes when traffic is not heavy. Despite haggling with them, the drivers refused to lower their fee and when asked why, they said that they used a coupon system. I knew there was no such thing. It is common knowledge that people familiar with the area know it is expensive to take a taxi from the corner of SS15/8 in Subang Jaya but some do so when no other option is available.

Busy place: A StarMetro reporter talking to a taxi driver outside KLCC along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Azizah Mohd Ithnin, 37, is one such person. She used to drive herself until about four years ago.

“Parking is really difficult in SS15 so I use public transport these days. About three times a week I go to Petaling Jaya and the fastest way is to take a taxi and use the highway,” Azizah said.

According to her, it would cost her RM8, inclusive of toll, to get to work. But the taxis waiting at the corner quote a flat rate of RM10 to RM15.

Student Tee W.L, 18, said that he was quoted a flat rate of RM15 to go to USJ4. It normally costs only RM6.

Indian national Eswaoarao said that he was charged RM20 to go to Bandar Puteri in Puchong, a 15-minute journey. – By CHOONG MEK ZHIN

Case 5: Puchong

I WENT to the bus and taxi stand in front of IOI Mall at 11am and attempted to take a taxi to Summit USJ. Most of the people at the stand were waiting for the bus. The first taxi driver I approached has yet to install a new meter. However, he said that it would normally cost about RM10 but with the new meter, it would cost about RM15, including toll fares.

A second driver asked me how much I was willing to pay.

“It would cost about RM6 if I use the meter but could you pay a little extra, about RM2?” he asked.

I also saw a man haggling over the fares but in the end he got into a bus that had just arrived.

I befriended Raja Lethumi, who was waiting for a bus as well. She said that she did not mind the price increase as long as taxi drivers use the meters.

I also spotted a group of teenagers who wanted to go to Sunway Pyramid. The driver quoted RM15. They finally found someone who agreed to take them for RM12.

David Tan, a resident of Puchong said he was unaware of the priceincrease but that taxis here did not use the meter and as such, it made no difference at all.

I than decided to head to Bukit Jalil next but was shocked that the price was a whopping RM20. After waiting a while, a driver pulled up and offered to send me, using the metered rate.

However, he said he has yet to switch to the new meter and explained about the increase in taxi fare.

When we reached Bukit Jalil, the meter showed RM13.40, which is about 40% cheaper than the fare offered by the previous taxi driver who refused to use a meter. What a big difference that is. – By OH ING YEEN

From:thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/8/3/central/4441209&sec=central

 

Some cabbies asking for goodwill fee

By BAVANI M.

TAXI drivers in the Klang Valley who have yet to recalibrate their meters to accommodate the new fare system are asking passengers to pay the extra 30%. Calling it a “goodwill” fee, the taxi drivers claim that since the new rates have already come into effect, passengers should just close one eye and pay.

“It is not my fault that every time I go to the centre in Jalan Ipoh to recalibrate the meter, the queue is miles long.’’ said taxi driver Paul Lee.

“I just tell my custommers that I have yet to recalibrate my meter but that the fare is actually 30% more and can they please pay me an extra RM2 or RM3. Most of them have been understanding and have no problem paying extra,” Lee said.

Taxi driver Rahim Kechik, who also went to the centre in Taman Mastiara in Jalan Ipoh on Saturday, said that thousands of taxis were already lined up since 8am and that he could not afford to wait so long as there was a shortage of taxis in the city that day.

“I felt that I might as well earn some money ferrying people instead of just wasting my time,’’ the 55-year-old said. Rahim, however, said he would not charge the new rates as this would be illegal.

Thousands of taxis in the Klang Valley do not have calibrated meters yet and a check by StarMetro during the weekend found long queues at all the centres offering meter calibration services.

Taxi driver Ali said he went to a centre in Jalan Cochrane at 1am on Saturday and was shocked to find a long queue.

“It was just too long so I left. But I heard from a friend that drivers were still queuing up until 10am the next morning,’’ he said.

Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) director Datin Naimah Ramli said that it would be illegal for taxis to charge new rates if their meters still show the old fare.

“This would also confuse passengers,’’ she added.

Naimah said that drivers must also issue receipts.

As for the taxi drivers not using the meters, Naimah said that enforcement officers had been despatched to various hot spots in the city to evaluate the situation.

The Government had recently raised taxi fares. The price increase took effect on Saturday. The new surcharge for taxis will be RM3, up from RM2, while passengers will be charged 10 sen for every subsequent 115m, instead of 150m previously.

For taxis caught in a traffic jam, the fare is RM3 for the first three minutes and 10 sen for every subsequent 21 seconds, instead of 45 seconds previously.

Taxi drivers are also unhappy over the high fee of RM70 fee to calibrate their meters and hope the amount would be reduced.

Klang Valley Taxi Owners Association president Abdul Jalil Maarof said that drivers must adhere to the rules and regulations.

“If they have not calibrated their meters, then they must use the old rates,” he said.

Abdul Jalil said he was aware that the centres offering calibration services were packed to the brim but that the situation could not be helped.

“They operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

“As for the fee, we can’t do anything as the outlets calibrating the meters claim that the suppliers are charging the fee,’’ he said.

Sunlight Radio Taxi Service Sdn Bhd executive director Choi Wei Yee, however, said that taxi drivers should not be penalised for charging the new rates despite not calibrating their meters.

“They have waited a long time for this and perhaps the authorities can be be a little lenient,’’ said Choi.

From:thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/8/3/central/4440921&sec=central

Meter-less cabs in Johor

By NELSON BENJAMIN, DESIREE TRESA GASPER AND AUSTIN CAMOENS

JOHOR BARU: The recent hike in taxi fares nationwide does not matter to Johoreans, as they have long suffered the widespread problem of taxi drivers here who do not use meters.

Regular passengers say some cabbies in the city deliberately block the meter by draping face towels, hanging calendars or even placing their call cards in front of it.

Commuters also expressed frustration that the cabbies would dictate prices due to the lack of enforcement by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) and Road Transport Department (RTD).

Lawyer Norman Fernandez, who has been using taxis daily for more than 10 years to commute around town, said that almost all the taxis in Johor do not use the meter.

“They usually mark up the prices by RM2 to RM5 depending on the location. And if there is a public holiday in Singapore, the fares go up to take advantage of the tourists coming in,” he said.

Expensive trip: A woman getting into a taxi in Johor Baru.

Fernandez expressed his disappointment with the poor enforcement by CVLB which has an office in Muar only to cover the whole state, and RTD.

“I had lodged complaints in the past but nothing was done, and I did not even get a call to inform me that my complaints were being looked into,” he said.

Fernandez said that errant cabbies should be suspended and taken off the roads as they were cheating the public and tarnishing the country’s image.

Another taxi user, bank collection officer R. Padma, 26, said the fare hike would not make a difference as most of the taxis she boarded did not use the meter.

“I think the taxi fares in Johor Baru is more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur,” she said, adding that she had just moved here Baru from the country’s capital city about two weeks ago.

She noted that on the few occasions when meters were used, the fare would increase very quickly during the trip.

Singaporean Sokhbir Kaur, who visits Malaysia frequently said that most cab drivers did not use the meters and even had separate charges for foreigners.

“I had one driver who insisted that I could afford to pay him more because I was a Singaporean,” she said, adding that the problem would only become worse with the official price hike.

Too high: Most taxi drivers in Johor Baru do not use the meter.

Sokhbir added that the drivers would have another reason to further increase the taxi charges.

“Many of my friends also face the same problem, and I believe that many tourists will be deterred by the high charges,” she said.

For 16-year-old student Tay Jing Jing, the price hike was a tremendous financial burden, especially to students.

“I use taxis almost every day and have been dealing with many taxis that do not use meters.

“Most give excuses that the meters are old or are not in working condition, and charge us their own rates,” she said, adding that the price hike will only worsen the situation.

“Stringent rules should be applied by the authorities, and taxi drivers who do not adhere to the regulations should be heavily fined,” she said.

Bad for tourism: Singaporean Sokhbir Kaur says there is a different rate for foreigners.

Another regular cab user, Vijayal Govindasamy, 58, said taxi drivers here were getting bolder by charging exorbitant rates.

“It used to cost me RM4 to get to my house from Holiday Plaza which is about 3km away, but now these cabbies charge me over RM7 for the trip,” she said.

Medical student Hasinah Hani Mohamed, 23, said she hoped cabbies would start using the meters after the revision of the cab fare.

“The old rate might not have been fair to them,” she said, adding that she believed that was the reason why cabbies here were reluctant to use the meters.

She hoped that with the new rate, they would start using the meters.

Johor Taxi and Rental Car Association president Ang Giap Hock said the increase would help lighten taxi drivers’ burden.

He acknowledged that he had received many complaints on taxi drivers not using the meters.

He said many resorted to doing so because they could not cope with the rising price of fuel and other things.

“Many taxi drivers have been surviving on the same rates for so long and it is not fair that there has not been an increase in price for the past 12 years,” Ang said.

“We hope that in future the Government would re-evaluate the fares every two years, according to the economic growth,” he said, citing the example of the Singapore government’s re-evaluation practice.

Ang also commented that taxi drivers were generally happy with the recent price hike and had no reason to avoid using their meters now.

From:thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/7/23/southneast/4369863&sec=southneast