Press Digest: Negative attitude from public taxi drivers drove customers away

PETALING JAYA: The negative attitude shown by some taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur is causing the public to switch to using independent taxi services such as Uber and GrabCar.
According to a report by Berita Harian, several issues linked to the taxi drivers' negative attitude include refusal in using the meter, declining to take on passengers to certain destinations and seeking additional charges on top of the actual rate.
Engineer Muhammad Fazreen Mazlan, 24, told the daily that many public transportation users suppress their feelings when faced with such errant taxi drivers.
"I have had such experiences with taxi drivers. They like to gather in a particular area and impose unreasonable rates such as charging RM20 for a trip from Pudu to Bukit Bintang when it is only RM10 by the meter," he said.
Fazreen explained that services like Uber and GrabCar are seen as saviours as they provide easy service and the price cannot be manipulated, also noting that the drivers of these services are friendly towards their passengers.
Uber user Yiswaree Palansamy, 27, said her awful experience with public taxi drivers had caused her to switch to using online taxi services.
"I am happy with the new services as I no longer have to 'beg' from the public taxi drivers. Public taxis impose high charges without using the meter. I was once charged RM50 from Mid Valley to Sunway when it would only cost RM30 if the meter was used. When I questioned the driver, he told me to find another taxi," she said.
Technician Ahmad Tamimi Shahrizal, 25, said the authority should professionally evaluate the responses of the public regarding independent taxi services as the problems caused by public taxis have been going on for a long time without any solutions.
"Don't stop these good services," he urged, adding that public drivers should evaluate themselves and improve their services instead of protesting.
"If they improve (their services), the public will definitely employ their services."