The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) collected more than RM200,000 in fines from individuals providing illegal taxi services at KL International Airport (KLIA) and (KLIA2).

SPAD Enforcement Division senior general manager Datuk Che Hasni Che Ahmad said enforcement operations in 2016 yielded 58 arrest cases involving taxi drivers, Uber and Grabcar drivers and ticket touts.

"Illegal taxi activities at the two airports became rampant in the past few years and the income of taxi drivers registered at KLIA and KLIA2 were badly affected," he told the media after Ops Parasit at KLIA last night.

"Fifty eight locals were nabbed under Section 205 (1) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 last year and 58 vehicles were seized for illegally taking passengers at KLIA and KLIA2," he said.

In the today's operation from 6am to 8pm, SPAD arrrested three illegal operators at KLIA and KLIA2.

They were remanded and would brought to Sepang Court for mention today.

Che Hasni said SPAD found that illegal taxi services were getting worse as Uber and GrabCar drivers were operating in the two locations since October.

"We found that mobile phone app drivers would switch off their application to avoid detection by their operating companies and they would lure passengers and tourist arriving at the airport."

He said the operation also arrested a driver who had been caught three times by SPAD for the same offence due to the lucrative income from such activities.

"In such cases, we usually appeal to the court to impose a heavier sentence to prevent such offences from repeating," he said. - Bernama