TS,Wednesday 3 August 2011
I agree with “Cabbies have only themselves to blame” (The Star, August 1) and wish to address some common problems and to propose solutions to overcome them.
Taxi drivers are prompted by passengers to fix the fare when the opening line is something like “How much to Chinatown?”
If the average fare by meter is RM7, is it fair for the driver to quote RM10?
If the driver has quoted a reasonable fare, is it fair of the passenger to then ask for the meter be used?
Cabbies that usually use the meter may just drive off because they feel that passengers who want to use the meter should not have inquired about the fare.
Perhaps some of these passengers do not know how to ask for an estimated fare.
What about those who clearly asked for the exact fare by meter, which can only be known upon reaching the destination?
Are cabbies allowed to fix fares upon request? If not, can action be taken against passengers that insist on a low fixed fare when the driver wants to use the meter?
It is a fallacy to think that the problems are over once all cabbie use the meter.
Those who are streetwise are aware that meters can be calibrated to clock faster. They are reset to the correct calibration just before inspections at Puspakom.
Such unhealthy practices occur anywhere in the world, and are not confined to taxi meters.
Therefore, many find it safer to pay a RM10 fixed fare than RM7 by meter.
The driver, too, ought to be appreciated for his honesty and taking the risk of being stuck in traffic when the meter can register well in excess of RM10.
Those who charge several times more to rip off passengers are the ones that give cabbies a bad name.
When the meter shows RM7.40 upon arrival, the passenger can handover a RM10 note and ask for RM2 back.
Telling the driver to keep the change is the encouragement he needs. Taxi drivers go through many ups and downs daily.
They are often disappointed with many executives wearing ties, some with jackets, who hold out their hand for the last 10 sen, similar to collecting change from the cashier in a supermarket.
On the other hand, some foreign workers show their appreciation by tipping the driver.
It is not a good practice to ask how much is the fare when it is clearly displayed, as it may trigger the driver to quote a higher amount.
One of the most effective measures that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) can take is to make taxi and taxi meter companies more accountable for the action of the drivers.
For example, the public can seek redress directly with the taxi companies and obtain compensation swiftly.
Taxi companies can set up customer service centres individually or together at strategic parts of the city for the convenience of the passengers and as well as operate online.
Taxi meter companies should be made to play a far greater role than now as new technologies can exert some control over all drivers, whether they are renting the taxis from companies or are owner-drivers.
One method is to introduce cashless payment which would compel the drivers to be in their good books in order to be credited with full payments.
Our taxi industry has remained in the back waters for decades. It is a barometer of our society.
Raising the standard of our taxi service improves productivity and the quality of life for both locals and visitors alike.
SPAD’s role in transforming our land public transport is a vital key to the transformation of our country.
Therefore, it must be assertive over all transport companies, regardless of whether they are fully privately owned or government-linked, and place national interest above all else.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
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