TMM,Wednesday 3 August 2011
Other than trying to rip off passengers or hired on an hourly basis, are there any other reasons why cabbies don’t use the meter?
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 empty because they feel that passengers who want to use the meter should not have asked for 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 for the authorities and public to think that problems are over once all cabbies use meters.
Those who are streetwise are aware that meters can be calibrated to clock faster by unscrupulous workers in taxi meter companies and reset them just before inspections at Puspakom.
Such unhealthy practices occur anywhere in the world and 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 over 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 hand over a RM10 note and ask for RM2 back.
Telling the driver to keep the change is the encouragement they need as they go through many ups and downs daily.
They are often disappointed with many executives wearing ties, some with jackets, stretching their hands 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 name a higher amount.
One of the most effective measures that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) should introduce 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 compensations swiftly.
These taxi companies are to set up customer service centres individually or pooled together at strategic parts of the city for the convenience of the passengers and 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 individually owned.
One method is to introduce cashless payment which would automatically compel the drivers to be in the good books in order to be credited with full payments.
Our taxi industry has remained in the backwaters 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 the people 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.
Politicians should not stoke the emotions of taxi drivers as they can easily gang up and lay siege to the city by choking the streets.
They have already been emboldened by lack of enforcement over the years and any empowerment would encourage them further.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
No comments:
Post a Comment