PETEKMA promises better service as taxi fare hike remains

The Malaysian Taxi, Limousine and Car Rental Operators and Drivers Association (Petekma) promises better service for customers following the government's announcement to retain the new taxi fares.

Its president, Mohd Shahrir Abdul Aziz, when contacted said he promised to expedite the recalibration of taxi meters according to the new fares on 23,000 taxis under its association as required by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

He said he believed the customers would eventually accept the price hike and understand that the current rate was not viable for the taxi overhead cost.

"Most of all, we thank the Cabinet and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the decision to retain the new fares announced last Thursday," he said.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nancy Shukri announced today that the new taxi fares stayed on after the Cabinet asked SPAD to postpone the hike in public transportation fares on March 21.

On March 19, SPAD announced an increase in taxi fares by between 20 and 67 per cent with immediate effect, while the increase of 22.6 per cent for express bus fares to begin from May 15.