Victims of selfish cabbies

City folks agreed taxi drivers do not use their meters on a daily basis.

Comments flooded Astro Awani’s Facebook page after our report 'KL cabbies still not using meters' on Wednesday highlighted that taxis in the Klang Valley do not adhere to set regulations and refused to use meters.

In our report, it was revealed that 12 out of 13 taxis hailed in central KL insisted of not using the meter.

Our reporter was quoted with excessive fares including RM20 for a 2km journey on a Sunday afternoon. The journey would cost between RM3.80 to RM4.20 on a good day.

A Facebook user, 'Encik Kudin', admitted having faced such a situation in the past.

“One day, my car broke down and I had to rush to the hospital. I hailed a cab and unfortunately the driver refused to use his meter. I felt as if I was robbed."

There are also taxi drivers who are picky with their destinations and decline their customers’ requests. Such actions contradict the regulations set by the authorities.

“It’s very hard to get a cab these days even at Mid Valley Megamall whereby cabbies are picky and they also refuse to use the meters. They keep giving excuses such as bad traffic or the destination is too far. Some cabbies also have a fixed price to certain destinations,” commented Sherina Kamal.

Another passenger Hazatul Syima Haron also shared her experience.

“I had no other choice and just paid the amount the driver charged me up front because the other drivers simply refused to use their meter and I was rushing to get to my office in time.”

Iqbal Idham blamed it on the lack of enforcement. “The lack of enforcement is the reason why taxi drivers keep taking advantage of their passengers."

“Although enforcement acitivites are done often, it has no effect on the taxi driver as they are motivated by greed," said Marzuki Bakar.

Mohd Uzair claimed that the same situation is seen in Seremban where the meter system is simply alien.

“Taxi drivers in Seremban should use the meter system because everyone in Seremban is suffering due to the bad public transport system. The taxi drivers charge excessive amounts and the busses are too slow,” added Uzair.

Mohd Hafidz Rohani, meanwhile, had this to say;

“You make your own decisions. If taxi drivers want to charge you ridiculously, don’t accept it. The choice is in your hands.”