TAXI DRIVERS WORST THAN PUBLIC TOILETS
Such was the indignation felt by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Drivers Welfare Association Chairman M. Manickam about the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri remark than taxi drivers were worst than public toilets, which made M. Manikam issue an ultimum to the Minister that either he apologise within a week or there will be a massive demonstration by 26,000 taxi drivers in front of the Prime Ministers office. That ultimum has ended. Thus, it now remains to be seen if M. Manikam will hold true to his word.
Of course earlier to this, the Chairman of the Executive Taxi Owners Association, Azmi Mohd Yatim was so incensed by the Minister’s remark that he not only demanded that the Minister withdraw his remark and apologise but also called upon the Prime Minister to replace the Minister with someone else.
However, the Minister was not being insolent or disrespectful but was merely stating the unpleasant truth about the bad behavior of our taxi drivers, not that our public toilets are any better.
Those flying into a rage and calling for the Minister’s scalp should first be reminded that in a survey published by The Expat magazine rated Malaysia taxi service as the worst among 23 countries surveyed. In the survey, Malaysian taxi drivers were among others labeled as “national disgrace”, “extortionist” and “a threat to tourist”. So what the Minister who has a penchant for blunt words and straight talking said about taxi drivers cannot be construed as being a disrespectful description.
Just what is the problem with taxi drivers? The taxi fare have been revised. With effect of August 1, 2009 the flag down rate now is RM3.00 instead of RM2.00. That is not all, the taxi meter also significantly jumps faster when the taxi is not moving or when caught in a jam. In fact, taxi drivers after the fare increase have reported a 30% rise in the earning. Despite this, it has still not stopped taxi drivers from continuing with their usual shenanigans in ripping of the passengers while providing a sub-standard taxi service.
The Chairman of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Drivers Association and the Chairman of the Executive Taxi Owners Association who are enraged by the Ministers’ remarks should come to Johor Bahru and witness the startling truth. To say only a minority of taxi drivers cheat is an understatement. The fact is, the majority of the taxi drivers in Johor Bahru despite the revised taxi fare, refuse to use the meter and continue to cheat the public by charging excess fares, refusing or reluctant in returning the change, choosing destinations, refusing to take passengers to certain areas, covering the meter with towels, calendars or calling cards or not using the meter but informing the passenger of the fare after driving a few hundred yards and then asking the passenger to get out if the passenger does not agree with the taxi drivers demands.
Those who are demanding a public apology or threatening demonstration just have to go undercover and observe and experience how taxi drivers in Johor Bahru namely around City Square, Taman Pelangi, Wisma Persekutuan, Larkin Bus Terminal, Skudai bus stand, Taman Tun Aminah bus stand or even Kip Market Tampoi cheat the public.
The reason why most taxi drivers continue with their wayward ways is simply because policing and enforcement is grossly lacking. The Road Transport Dept and Commercial Vehicle Transport Board who are responsible for keeping errant cabbies in check conducts only periodic “operasi’s” and more often than not complain about lack of manpower and instead wait for the public to complain. Rightfully, The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) instead of depending on the public to complain should go undercover and weed out the miscreant taxi drivers. How difficult can that be for CVLB ?
If the CVLB can be seen to be serious, non -compromising and start cancelling taxi permits and taxi licences of errant taxi drivers or their companies, trust me the standard of taxi service will immediately show an improvement. Then maybe the public toilets may be worse than the taxi drivers. Until then it is the taxi drivers !.
Such was the indignation felt by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Drivers Welfare Association Chairman M. Manickam about the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri remark than taxi drivers were worst than public toilets, which made M. Manikam issue an ultimum to the Minister that either he apologise within a week or there will be a massive demonstration by 26,000 taxi drivers in front of the Prime Ministers office. That ultimum has ended. Thus, it now remains to be seen if M. Manikam will hold true to his word.
Of course earlier to this, the Chairman of the Executive Taxi Owners Association, Azmi Mohd Yatim was so incensed by the Minister’s remark that he not only demanded that the Minister withdraw his remark and apologise but also called upon the Prime Minister to replace the Minister with someone else.
However, the Minister was not being insolent or disrespectful but was merely stating the unpleasant truth about the bad behavior of our taxi drivers, not that our public toilets are any better.
Those flying into a rage and calling for the Minister’s scalp should first be reminded that in a survey published by The Expat magazine rated Malaysia taxi service as the worst among 23 countries surveyed. In the survey, Malaysian taxi drivers were among others labeled as “national disgrace”, “extortionist” and “a threat to tourist”. So what the Minister who has a penchant for blunt words and straight talking said about taxi drivers cannot be construed as being a disrespectful description.
Just what is the problem with taxi drivers? The taxi fare have been revised. With effect of August 1, 2009 the flag down rate now is RM3.00 instead of RM2.00. That is not all, the taxi meter also significantly jumps faster when the taxi is not moving or when caught in a jam. In fact, taxi drivers after the fare increase have reported a 30% rise in the earning. Despite this, it has still not stopped taxi drivers from continuing with their usual shenanigans in ripping of the passengers while providing a sub-standard taxi service.
The Chairman of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Drivers Association and the Chairman of the Executive Taxi Owners Association who are enraged by the Ministers’ remarks should come to Johor Bahru and witness the startling truth. To say only a minority of taxi drivers cheat is an understatement. The fact is, the majority of the taxi drivers in Johor Bahru despite the revised taxi fare, refuse to use the meter and continue to cheat the public by charging excess fares, refusing or reluctant in returning the change, choosing destinations, refusing to take passengers to certain areas, covering the meter with towels, calendars or calling cards or not using the meter but informing the passenger of the fare after driving a few hundred yards and then asking the passenger to get out if the passenger does not agree with the taxi drivers demands.
Those who are demanding a public apology or threatening demonstration just have to go undercover and observe and experience how taxi drivers in Johor Bahru namely around City Square, Taman Pelangi, Wisma Persekutuan, Larkin Bus Terminal, Skudai bus stand, Taman Tun Aminah bus stand or even Kip Market Tampoi cheat the public.
The reason why most taxi drivers continue with their wayward ways is simply because policing and enforcement is grossly lacking. The Road Transport Dept and Commercial Vehicle Transport Board who are responsible for keeping errant cabbies in check conducts only periodic “operasi’s” and more often than not complain about lack of manpower and instead wait for the public to complain. Rightfully, The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) instead of depending on the public to complain should go undercover and weed out the miscreant taxi drivers. How difficult can that be for CVLB ?
If the CVLB can be seen to be serious, non -compromising and start cancelling taxi permits and taxi licences of errant taxi drivers or their companies, trust me the standard of taxi service will immediately show an improvement. Then maybe the public toilets may be worse than the taxi drivers. Until then it is the taxi drivers !.
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