'MeterOn' app can solve problem of taxi drivers not using meters

The 'MeterOn' mobile application which will be launched soon could solve the problem of taxi drivers refusing to use the metering system.

Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) enforcement division chief, Datuk Che Hasni Che Ahmad said the application, which had entered the second week of its trial phase, would contain data on all taxi drivers in the country.

"With this application, people can rate the drivers, know their location as well as their usual routes.

"Besides that, they can also find out the taxi fare estimate for their journeys. Any complaints regarding taxi drivers can also be sent via the application," he told reporters after joining an operation to curb touts at the

Larkin Sentral station here Thursday.

Che Hasni was commenting on the fact that there were taxi drivers who still refused to use meters even though there had been a revision in taxi fares recently.

"In Johor Bharu since 2011, there have been 284 cases involving taxi drivers who refused to use meters, who have been brought to court for trial. I hope with the revision in taxi fares there is no reason for taxi drivers not to use meters," he said.

If the problem persisted, SPAD would consider proposals to revoke the vehicle licenses of the errant taxi drivers, he said.

SPAD receives an average of around 400 complaints a month from customers nationwide regarding taxi drivers who refuse to use meters.

There are almost 40,000 taxi drivers nationwide.