Thursday, August 03, 2006

Don't Allow these Cabbies To Blackmail You.

When the proposal to introduce calibrated meters for taxis was announced, there were a lot of objections from the taxi driving fraternity. However the authorities persisted and the system was introduced on 1st August. Things however are far from ideal.

Many cabbies are still off the road on the second day of the meter ruling having come into effect. They are staying away by taking time off to service their cars or go on holidays as a silent protest.

It was learnt that many taxi drivers plying the Batu Ferringhi tourism belt will take a three-day break while those at the Sungai Nibong express bus station will be out of action for four days.

A taxi driver of three years said he would rest for three days as his taxi “towkay” who owns more than 10 taxis had waived the daily vehicle rental charge of RM30 for the duration of the strike.

Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board northern region chairman Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah warned taxi drivers who go on strike in protest against the meter ruling that their permits could be suspended or terminated. “Give us the name of the specific taxi towkays involved, the company or the taxi registration number and we will take the necessary action,” he urged the public.

State JPJ director Mohd Nor Ismail said the department would take action against taxi drivers who use their private cars as kereta sapu (illegal taxis).

Federation of Penang Taxi and Hired Car Drivers treasurer Chan Wan Seng said about 80% of the more than 1,000 taxi drivers on the island were “on leave” on Tuesday. “JPJ enforcement officers just started making their rounds today (Wednesday), so more taxis can be seen on the road.”

Under the meter system, passengers pay RM3 for the first km and 10 sen for every subsequent 150m. Chan said the taxi drivers were asking for 20 sen for every subsequent 100m.

A taxi driver who used the meter yesterday said he earned slightly over RM100 as there were fewer competitors on the road.

**** Give in to these crooks now and forever forget about reforming the taxi service situation in Penang or elsewhere. The vultures in other parts of the nation are looking on in anticipation to see what transpires. If the cabbies want to go on leave or strike so be it, for in the long run it is they who will suffer. The public must sacrifice a little now and put up with the inconvenience until the renegade cabbies either give up or are replaced with more reasonable people.

Please refer to my earlier post on this subject: Penang Taxi Drivers - stubborn, greedy and lawless.

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