Choosy Cabbies

TMM,Wednesday 27 July 2011 

KL: Insight into taxi games (July 22) 

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 11:07:00 

TAXING JOB: Taxi drivers should be made to fall in line but, at the same time, they need protection against public abuse and ridicule — PIC: 

Taxi drivers continue to pick and choose passengers or trips although they have been repeatedly warned not to do so. Here are 10 reasons why they throw caution to the wind:

1. They feel the passenger or trip is not worth their trouble and prefer to wait for a "bigger or better fish". They seem oblivious to the fact that holders of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence are required to serve the public without discrimination.

2.They feel the passenger appear too aggressive and dangerous, or too drunk, or high on drugs. It is wise to stay away from these passengers for fear of being robbed, injured or even killed.

3. A driver proceeding to a destination would refuse passengers who are heading out of their way for fear of being late for an appointment.

4. A driver in need of a rest, meal or toilet break would decline a long trip such as the airport, which is usually the much sought-after trip.

5. Drivers are sometimes forced to rush passengers to a destination, especially to catch a flight, putting them at risk of accidents and speed traps.

6. Unfamiliar residential or factory addresses, more so in a remote area. Most drivers would decline if the passenger, too, does not know the way.

7.Too many occupants exceeding the maximum load allowed or passengers carrying large and heavy items or items that may foul up the taxi, such as durians.

8. Passengers holding on to their unfinished drinks or food while boarding the taxi. Some even have the cheek asking to smoke inside the cab.

9. Passengers who wish to hire the taxi on an hourly basis but refuse to pay a deposit. Some passengers do not return as promised while the drivers wait for them.

10. Passengers continuing their quarrel as they are getting into the same cab, which can lead to physical and mental assaults to all occupants inside the cab.

Nevertheless, taxi drivers with good reasons to decline a passenger or trip should be courteous. 

Those who are rude, for whatever reason, should not be allowed to continue spreading discourtesy. 

Conducting counselling sessions on a daily basis is one of the most effective ways to rein in errant taxi drivers. 

The fear of being hauled up by the authorities and possible rehabilitation can make them fall in line. 

As a good preventive measure, those with heightened aggression should be tested for mental health. 

Drivers who threatened or injured passengers should be arrested for intimidation or assault. 

Equally important, the authorities must find ways to protect taxi drivers and not leave them vulnerable and subject to public abuse and ridicule. 

There must be a mechanism for these "lone rangers" to seek redress as some passengers can be very unreasonable and vexatious. 

For example, the shortest route is not always the fastest or the cheapest due to heavy traffic and the return trip can be much longer because of one-way streets. 

Some passengers are so adamant with the driver for choosing a longer route that they curse and swear inside the taxi and after getting off, even though they have been offered to pay less than the registered fare. 

Being right does not confer us the privilege to humiliate others and we lose credibility for blowing our top. 

This applies to all of us, taxi drivers and passengers included. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur