Friday December 11, 2009

With reference to the article “Cabbies dirtier than toilets”, I would like to give my feedback.

My overseas friends were staying at hostels along Jalan Tengkat Tong Shin and they complained about cabbies who refused to use meters, citing traffic congestion. A trip to Pasar Seni LRT in the morning cost them RM15 and there was no jam. I only paid RM5 for a cab ride of the same distance.

This is a major issue to tourists coming to Malaysia.

On the other hand, I personally feel that the meter rate could be a little higher in order to help taxi drivers make ends meet, especially with the heavy traffic jam in KL.

Another issue that came to light is that ordinary taxis which ferry passengers to KLIA or LCCT are not allowed to pick up passengers. Due to that, charges we pay to go to the airport are inclusive of return fare.

This is a major issue as it is a waste of fuel, time and productivity and also creates unhappiness which will result in poor customer service. There should be a free market for taxi drivers to do their business.

In Singapore, all taxis are allowed to drop off and pick up at the airport.

We really have to upgrade our taxi service in light of the ridiculous traffic jam we are facing from Kuala Lumpur to Klang. That way, people can use taxi services more frequently.

Alex Chai.

This article is a verbatim copy of the original article from The Star.