Proceed with fares increase or bear our recalibration costs - cabbies

Cab drivers have decided to continue with the new rate of fares despite the Cabinet’s instruction to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to postpone the implementation of the hike in land transportation fares as the timing is not right.

A quick review by Astro AWANI in Pandan Indah, here yesterday found that almost half of Klang Valley taxi drivers had their meters calibrated to accommodate to the initial announcement by SPAD on Thursday.

Some of the cabbies hav expressed their confusion citing there has been no new directive from SPAD about the postponement, to date.

“We should just proceed with the calibration exercise rs as SPAD has not issued any directive about shelving its initial plan,” said Teksi 1Malaysia (Teksi1M) cabbie, Taib Muhammad Amin.

When prodded for response of the taxi drivers' next move if SPAD were to obey the Cabinet’s request to stop the fares hike, Taib said his fellow drivers would continue to oblige.

“It’s a non-issue at all, if say all of a sudden SPAD follows the Cabinet’s order. SPAD is the governing body to protect the cab drivers so we won’t disobey them for everyone’s sake,” he added.

According to Taib, SPAD and the Cabinet must first carry out thorough discussions before making the final decision to avoid an undue burden for drivers.

He further reiterated his concern citing the recalibrating exercise could turn up to be a hassle feat as drivers would have to spend a day for their turn. On top of that, drivers are required to fork out RM106 for the service and an addition RM55 for Puspakom verification fee.

The Cabinet on Saturday has urged SPAD to postpone fares hike on public transport as the timing is inappropriate.

Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted as saying that the government is fully aware that SPAD has a solid reason to make the decision considering the present economic climate.

On Friday, SPAD announced a new rate for taxi services and express buses. The new rate for the taxi services will take into effect immediately while for express buses will begin on May 15.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said, the new fares were decided following the increase in costs including maintenance, insurance and cost of living.