Below is a letter from one of our readers.
In the next couple of years, this red and white city cab would be a thing in the past
(Pic by Shahrim Tamrin/CBT)
I drove full-size American cars licensed as limousine taxis from 1973-1975; custom-built premier taxis running solely on natural gas for vehicles (NGV) from 2000-2003; and the old model Proton Saga budget taxi from 2004-2010.
In 2000, I suggested to the Tourism Undersecretary that his ministry introduce tourist taxis that would be better than budget but cheaper than premier taxis.
The premier taxi fares were RM1 per km and budget taxis at 66 sen until they were raised to 87 sen per km in 2009.
By then, Proton Waja was commonly used as budget taxis and later the Persona and Ixora, but all shared the same meter fares as a 10-year old Saga.
In 2007, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) introduced executive taxis with fares at RM2 per km.
Naturally, operators preferred executive over premier taxis, as there was no difference on the type of vehicle that can be used.
Oddly, a wide variety of models were allowed to be licensed as executive taxis as long as the engine capacity was 2 litres and above.
Apart from sedans, they included MPVs ranging from Naza Citra to Hyundai Starex, SUV such as Mahindra Scorpio and cheap vans like Kia Pregio.
Earlier in 2001, taxi companies were assigned different colours for their budget taxis and our sacred Jalur Gemilang painted on individually-owned cabs.
However, the exercise served no purpose unlike in Indonesia where blue cabs operated by the Bluebird Group self-regulate their drivers.
Their services are so popular that taxi apps which have gained acceptance in many countries failed to make headway in Indonesia.
In contrast, the long serving president of a local taxi association retorted that it is the job of enforcement agencies, not taxi companies, to monitor taxi drivers.
This was in response to my proposal in a tourism association meeting that his bid to operate airport taxis at KLIA2 would be supported if there is control over the drivers.
It will be wise for the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to phase out premier and executive taxis and upgrade all budget taxis using brown Proton Exora.
Those who wish to travel in style can opt for limousine taxis and small groups can travel together in tour vans licensed as Bas Persiaran.
While driving premier taxis, some passengers have accused me of rigging the taximeter as they were expecting the same fares as budget taxis.
Those who chose to drive executive taxis do not realise that high fares do not necessarily lead to more income.
Many are experiencing a double whammy as high fares attracted competition but not customers. The market is too small to sustain 2,884 executive taxis.
If given a choice, cabbies would prefer the cheap Proton Saga over an Exora that cost twice as much.
In 2007, my proposal to streamline all taxi fares, including raising budget fares to RM1 per km, was published in a national daily.
Since then, a few hundred of my letters, many on taxi matters, had been published by various English newspapers and posted online.
If it is strategic not to revise fares across the board for all budget taxis, the meter for Taxi 1 Malaysia (TEKS1M) should be raised from 87 sen to RM1 per km and RM17.14 to RM24 per hour without delay.
SPAD CEO Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal is confident that 7,500 TEKS1M on the road within two years would place our taxi service to be among Asean’s best.
Implementing the Taxi Transformation Plan would empower us to achieve world-class standard. Given the current scenario, it looks like a tall order.
It will be tough just to define exactly the type of people who should drive taxis and make it a lifelong career.
The existing cabbies are largely unemployable or lacked discipline to work for others. Their mindsets are more like hunters and gatherers with little difference in picking preys and passengers.
Many of them are unhealthy, both physically and mentally. The Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence is a sham, as they can easily be renewed annually at the Road Transport Department with forged medical certificates.
Those who are violent or refused to use the meter and charge exorbitant fares should not just be penalised. They need mental examination and possibly psychiatric help.
It is also challenging for new cabbies to remain sane as they are bound to meet nasty passengers who are out to cheat or harm them.
They cannot let down their guard otherwise they could be robbed or killed. As such, many are afraid to pick up suspicious characters or go the secluded spots.
Being overly cautious and often choosy can get them into trouble as genuine passengers being declined trips may complain to the authorities.
Our ecosystem is not conducive to provide world-class taxi service at the industry level.
But we can create and nurture an elite group of taxi drivers that are conversant in the languages of passengers and knowledgeable in places of interests or a particular field.
These tourist drivers may well transform the image of our cabbies and their expertise posted in a reputable website. Such bookings are far superior to any basic phone apps.
This group of Malaysian professionals would rank high among the best taxi drivers in the world.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur