MALAYSIAN TAXIES

[nazrey]

ATTENTION PLEASE!
From flickr

image hosted on flickr

[rizalhakim]

'Sistem lapik' taktik ulat LCCT

Oleh HISHAM IDRIS
hisham.idris@kosmo.com.my



RATUSAN teksi 'halal' berbaris panjang menunggu penumpang di LCCT, Sepang semalam.

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SEPANG - Taktik menyumbat penumpang dengan 'sistem lapik' membolehkan ulat-ulat teksi di Terminal Penerbangan Tambang Murah (LCCT) di sini mengaut untung berlipat kali ganda setiap kali penerbangan mendarat.

Melalui sistem tersebut, ia membolehkan ulat-ulat terbabit mendapatkan penumpang dengan mudah kerana kadar tambang yang dikenakan lebih rendah berbanding teksi yang sah, tetapi penumpang terpaksa berkongsi teksi.

Menurut Pengerusi Koperasi Jurupandu Usahawan Airport KLIA Berhad, Alias Mohd. Zakaria, sistem yang digunakan oleh ulat-ulat tersebut membuatkan harga tambang ditawarkan jauh lebih murah berbanding sistem kupon digunakan teksi berdaftar.

Perbezaan harga tersebut membuatkan lebih ramai pengguna percaya bahawa 'ulat' menawarkan harga rendah tetapi tidak mengetahui muslihat di sebalik harga yang ditawarkan.

"Mereka (ulat) tawar RM50 untuk perjalanan ke Kuala Lumpur berbanding kadar yang kita sudah tetapkan iaitu RM92.40 setiap kupon.

"Ini bermakna ulat mampu memperoleh sekurang-kurang RM150 untuk tiga kepala bagi sekali trip berbanding RM92.40 satu kepala untuk satu trip yang kami dapat," katanya ketika ditemui di Hentian Teksi LCCT semalam.

Kosmo! semalam melaporkan masalah ulat di LCCT kini menyebabkan pemandu teksi di situ terpaksa mengikat perut akibat kekurangan penumpang.

Keadaan tersebut pula bertambah buruk apabila daripada sejumlah 21,000 penumpang yang mendarat di LCCT setiap hari hanya kira-kira 1,500 pengguna memerlukan khidmat teksi.

[rizalhakim]

Lembah Klang kurang teksi?

Oleh ZULKIPLE IBRAHIM

Ramai yang merungut perkhidmatan teksi di Kuala Lumpur agak sukar diperoleh.

"Bandar awak besar tapi nampak macam tak banyak teksi," kata Adamson Smith, pelancong dari Australia ketika menunggu teksi di sebuah hentian teksi di sebuah kompleks beli-belah Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur.

Situasi itu berlaku pada satu petang Sabtu baru-baru ini dan barisan menunggu teksi di situ agak panjang. Tetapi yang kelihatan hanya beberapa buah teksi yang berhenti untuk mengambil penumpang ke destinasi masing-masing.

Haneef Khan dari Yemen yang datang ke Kuala Lumpur untuk aktiviti pelancongan-perubatan berkata, agak sukar mendapatkan khidmat teksi di kompleks beli-belah terutama selepas senja.

"Selain itu, saya tidak mempunyai apa-apa rungutan terhadap khidmat teksi Kuala Lumpur," katanya.

Menurut pengalaman penulis, teksi di Kuala Lumpur senang didapati tapi kadangkala memang 'hilang daripada pandangan mata' di saat kita memerlukannya terutama pada tengah hari Jumaat dan hari hujan.

"Pada tengah hari Jumaat, pemandu teksi beragama Islam akan pergi sembahyang Jumaat, jadi anda tak akan jumpa ramai mereka di jalan raya," kata seorang pemandu teksi yang mahu dikenali sebagai Abu Bakar.

Abu Bakar yang merupakan bekas kapten Tentera Darat berkata, mereka yang memandu ketika itu hanyalah pemandu bukan Islam sedangkan pekerja pejabat ketika itu suka keluar beramai-ramai disebabkan waktu rehat yang lama.

"Sebab itu, tak banyak dan tak cukup teksi atas jalan pada tengah hari Jumaat," kata beliau.

Jadi memang betullah teksi tidak cukup untuk memenuhi permintaan di Kuala Lumpur?

"Saya tak pasti sebab ada lebih daripada 15 syarikat teksi di Lembah Klang yang menyumbang 20,000 buah teksi untuk perkhidmatan. Jumlah itu sepatutnya cukup," kata Abu Bakar.

Menurut Abu Bakar, ada antara pemandu teksi berhenti memandu selepas pukul 7 malam.

"Saya tahu ramai kawan saya (pemandu teksi) yang pulang ke rumah pada waktu petang. Sebab itulah ramai orang susah nak dapat teksi waktu senja," katanya.

Seorang pengawal keselamatan yang juga memandu teksi secara separuh masa berkata, penumpang tidak boleh salahkan teksi kerana 'menghilangkan' diri ketika waktu pagi dan petang selain ketika hari hujan.

"Dah hujan bang, sudah tentu trafik jam", katanya sambil menjelaskan ada pemandu teksi yang memang mengelak daripada pergi ke pusat bandar raya Kuala Lumpur ketika itu.

"Kami lebih senang ke Petaling Jaya, kalau sesak pun tak seteruk Kuala Lumpur," kata beliau.

Sementara itu, seorang lagi pengguna yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Suraiya Aziz, 30, berkata, dia juga nyaris-nyaris terlepas penerbangannya gara-gara ketiadaan teksi yang mahu menghantarnya ke KL Sentral.

Suraiya, kakitangan salah sebuah syarikat percetakan menjelaskan, lazimnya dia tidak menghadapi banyak masalah untuk mendapatkan teksi sekitar pukul 11 pagi.

"Tapi ikut nasib juga, pernah saya terpaksa menelefon lebih lapan syarikat teksi namun semuanya mengecewakan," ujarnya yang tinggal di kawasan perumahan di Kemensah, Kuala Lumpur. Lebih mengecewakan Suraiya, ada juga pemandu teksi yang memberi alasan yang tidak munasabah sebelum bersetuju mengambil penumpang.

"Mereka enggan datang mengambil saya kerana bimbang saya mungkin menaiki teksi lain yang melalui kawasan ini, walaupun saya sudah menyatakan persetujuan untuk menunggu teksi mereka," kata ibu kepada dua anak itu.

Malah, katanya ada juga teksi yang enggan menghantar penumpang ke kawasan tertentu ketika hari hujan sedangkan teksi tersebut hanya menunggu di stesen teksi.

"Saya ingat lagi, teksi sangat banyak di sekitar pusat beli-belah Giant Hulu Klang. Kejadian berlaku lebih kurang pukul 2 petang dan hari hujan. Suami saya perlu bergegas ke tempat kerja di Petaling Jaya. Namun, tiada teksi yang mahu menghantarnya.

"Saya tidak faham, bukankah khidmat mereka dibayar?" soal Suraiya.

Pengerusi Lembaga Pelesenan Kenderaan Perdagangan (LPKP) Datuk Markiman Kobiran berkata, terdapat 22,094 teksi beroperasi dengan aktif di Lembah Klang.

Teksi-teksi itu beroperasi di Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan, kata beliau.

Menurut Abu Bakar lagi: "Orang ramai kena faham, tidak semua teksi ini berada di atas jalan raya pada satu-satu masa. Ada yang dihantar ke bengkel kerana rosak manakala pemandu teksi ialah manusia biasa yang mempunyai komitmen serta masalah peribadi atau keluarga.

"Kalau mereka tak mahu memandu dan hanya tinggal di rumah, kita dan pihak berkuasa tak boleh nak buat apa pada mereka. Tapi bagi mereka yang sewa permit daripada syarikat, mereka kena bekerja kerana nak bayar sewa harian."

Bagaimanapun, orang ramai yang mahu membuat laporan, boleh menghubungi LPKP di talian bebas tol 1 800 88 9600 atau SMS 39900.

"Saya rasa harga tambang teksi yang diluluskan pihak berkuasa di Malaysia adalah berpatutan sebab saya dapat bawa pulang RM100 bersih selepas bekerja dari pukul 6 pagi hingga 8 malam setiap hari," kata P. Kumareson dari Puchong, Selangor.

Menurut Kumareson, teksi yang beliau pandu ialah kenderaan gas asli (NGV) dan menggunakan gas sebanyak RM20 sehari.

"Bekerja dengan jujur, saya dapat lebih kurang RM180 sehari. Tolak RM20 untuk makan, RM20 untuk gas dan RM40 untuk sewa permit, saya ada baki RM100 untuk bawa pulang ke rumah.

"Saya sudah bawa teksi selama 18 tahun dan berjaya hantar semua anak saya ke universiti," kata bapa kepada empat anak itu.

Menurut Kumareson, dakwaan sesetengah pemandu teksi yang kerjaya itu tidak memberi pulangan adalah tidak benar.

"Bekerjalah dengan rajin dan anda akan menerima pulangannya," kata beliau. - Bernama

[rizalhakim]

Ministry to meet bus and taxi reps


IPOH: The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry will meet representatives of bus and taxi federations today to discuss a surcharge plan to offset rising costs.

Minister Datuk Noh Omar said his ministry would consider all feedback during the meeting, including those of consumer associations and parent-teacher associations.

Mini bus, express bus and rental car operators have also been invited to the 8.30pm meeting at Medan Mara in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.

Urging schoolbus operators to be patient, Noh said the ministry would take the results of the discussion to the Cabinet for a decision.

“We want to see their (the operators) requests because they cannot burden the people.

“At the same time, the ministry wants to ensure that the operators do not suffer losses,” he told reporters at the Meru Valley Golf Resort on Sunday.

Noh noted that although the price of fuel had dropped, the cost of spare parts and insurance remained high.

Earlier this month, schoolbus operators reportedly threatened to take a two-week break unless the Government allowed a 30% surcharge or reduced the price of subsidised diesel to RM1 a litre.

The boycott would affect some 800,000 students.

[rizalhakim]

Taxi system a big flaw in beautiful KL


AS a visitor to Kuala Lumpur, I have nothing but praise for this vibrant city with its varied cultures that blend so well together and for the advancements it is making on all the critical fronts, i.e. economically, socially and technologically.

“Malaysia Boleh” is the perfect motto because it exudes confidence and progress.

However, there is a big “BUT” to all this. The taxi services are a disgrace to a city that welcomes over eight million visitors a year. We can put up with the dilapidated state of many of the taxis and even being turned away by the drivers for no reason whatsoever, but being ripped off is unacceptable.

We have on many occasions been quoted an inflated rate for a 10-minute journey. The meter is switched off, and we are told that the traffic jam has forced this situation upon the taxi drivers.

To add insult to injury, there is a big sign in front of the KLCC building warning that we should only use metered taxis. But finding one driver who has his machine switched on and does not quote a flat rate (usually anything upwards of RM$20) is near impossible.

This is indeed a disappointing and sad state of affairs. I don’t think the air of resignation that seems to pervade over this appalling situation should be left to continue, and I would like to suggest that perhaps the newspaper could lead the way, with its readers, in campaigning for a fairer taxi system in KL and call on the Tourism Ministry to be more proactive in this matter.

I have no doubt that support will be forthcoming from all quarters because there will be others who will feel the same way too.

TIGGY MUNNELLY,

Kuala Lumpur.

[nazrey]

Proton asked: Produce Malaysian-style taxi
Published: 2009/01/22

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has suggested that national carmaker Proton produce a Malaysian-style taxi with unique design that Malaysians can be proud of.

He said the vehicle should be spacious to provide comfort to passengers and equipped with safety features and modern technologies, particularly in the collection of fares.

“I want to suggest that Proton design and produce taxis which are spacious and comfortable, with barriers between passengers and drivers and fares can be paid electronically,” he said.

Najib, who is Finance Minister, was speaking at the presentation of permits to 1,379 taxi drivers in the Klang Valley.

“With this, we can have our own unique taxi design the way London has its London taxi,” he said. - Bernama

[rizalhakim]

Be at your best, Najib urges taxi drivers



KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has joined the long list of senior leaders urging taxi drivers to create a good impression of Ma-laysia.

"Taxi drivers are like a window on the country and will be among the first people to be encountered after Immigration officers and airport workers.

"You have to be at your best. If the foreigners' experience with the drivers is good, their impressions will be good," he said yesterday at a ceremony to hand out individual taxi permits at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

A total of 1,419 taxi permits were issued to drivers who will operate in Selangor, Putrajaya and Seremban and here.

Present was Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar.

Najib said a good taxi driver worked hard, was polite to his customers and helpful.

"Just visualise yourself in your customer's shoes. Imagine him getting into your taxi and think of how you would feel if you were treated rudely."

He said taxi drivers lost nothing by being polite to their passengers and could even improve their services by learning a language or two.

He said the government would ask Proton to develop a car to cater to the local taxi industry.

Najib said the government had decided to grant individual taxi permits as it cared for the drivers and their welfare.

He said the government understood the drivers' difficulties and hoped the permits would help improve their income.

Noh said yesterday's permits were the first phase of the ministry's plan to license individual drivers.

[rizalhakim]

Originally Posted by nazrey

Proton asked: Produce Malaysian-style taxi
Published: 2009/01/22

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has suggested that national carmaker Proton produce a Malaysian-style taxi with unique design that Malaysians can be proud of.

He said the vehicle should be spacious to provide comfort to passengers and equipped with safety features and modern technologies, particularly in the collection of fares.

“I want to suggest that Proton design and produce taxis which are spacious and comfortable, with barriers between passengers and drivers and fares can be paid electronically,” he said.

Najib, who is Finance Minister, was speaking at the presentation of permits to 1,379 taxi drivers in the Klang Valley.

“With this, we can have our own unique taxi design the way London has its London taxi,” he said. - Bernama

TPM: Hasilkan teksi Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR 22 Jan. - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak meminta syarikat pengeluar kereta nasional, Proton menghasilkan sebuah teksi beridentitikan Malaysia seperti teksi di kota London.

Beliau berkata, sudah tiba masanya Malaysia mempunyai teksi seumpama itu kerana ia mampu mempelbagaikan lagi daya tarikan pelancongan di negara ini.

Katanya, semua pihak harus sedar bahawa perkhidmatan teksi merupakan jendela kepada sesebuah negara dan justeru usaha ke arah itu perlu dilakukan dengan bersungguh-sungguh oleh semua pihak terbabit.

''Bagi memulakan projek ini saya meminta Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi melakukan perbincangan dengan Proton supaya apa yang kita cita-citakan itu menjadi kenyataan.

''Saya mengimpikan perkhidmatan teksi kita bertaraf dunia,'' katanya ketika berucap pada majlis penyampaian surat tawaran kelulusan (STK) teksi individu Lembah Klang (Fasa 1) kepada 1,444 pemandu teksi di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan, Datuk Noh Omar dan timbalannya, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Sementara itu, pada sidang akhbar selepas majlis itu, Noh menjelaskan lebih lanjut mengenai cadangan teksi ala-Malaysia yang bakal digunakan di negara ini menjelang tahun 2020 nanti.

Beliau berkata, teksi itu akan mempunyai ruang penumpang yang besar dan selesa. Ia akan turut menempatkan sebuah kios mini mengandungi minuman dan makanan ringan.

"Ia juga akan mempunyai kemudahan khusus bagi orang kurang upaya untuk naik dan turun dengan lebih senang dan mudah. Selain itu dilengkapi dengan penghadang antara ruang penumpang dan pemandu bagi tujuan keselamatan.

"Ruang penumpang juga akan dilengkapi dengan kemudahan mesin pembayaran elektronik yang boleh digunakan untuk membayar harga tambang teksi dan bil-bil utiliti serta keperluan lain yang difikirkan perlu untuk kemudahan penumpang," katanya.

[rizalhakim]

Bas, teksi minta naik tambang 100 peratus


KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat pengangkutan bas ekspres, bas henti-henti, bas sekolah dan teksi meminta tambang dinaikkan 60 hingga 100 peratus bagi menampung peningkatan kos operasi.

Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi, Datuk Noh Omar, berkata mereka meminta kerajaan menelitinya kerana kali terakhir tambang pengangkutan awam dinaikkan pada 2005.

“Pertubuhan dan pengusaha bas ekspres, bas henti-henti dan teksi meminta kenaikan 100 peratus, manakala bas sekolah meminta 60 peratus kenaikan. Bagaimanapun mereka menjelaskan ia tidak ada kaitan dengan harga minyak kerana ia tidak memberi kesan kepada pengangkutan awam.



“Ketika tambang dinaikkan pada 2005, harga diesel subsidi adalah 65 sen seliter dan walaupun ia meningkat kepada RM1.43 seliter sekarang, pengusaha masih mampu bertahan dan beroperasi,” katanya selepas majlis perasmian Seminar Pemantapan Imej Pengusaha Teksi Lembah Klang dan penyampaian Surat Tawaran Kelulusan Teksi Lembah Klang (Fasa 1), di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini semalam.

Kelmarin, Berita Harian melaporkan kementerian pada dasarnya setuju menaikkan kadar tambang bagi bas ekspres dan bas henti-henti sebanyak 30 peratus dalam tempoh terdekat. Sumber memberitahu kenaikan dipersetujui dalam mesyuarat khas dipengerusikan Noh bersama 33 pihak berkaitan pengangkutan awam pada Selasa lalu.

Noh berkata, antara sebab utama tambang perlu dinaikkan untuk membiaya kos tayar, bateri, alat ganti, insurans, minyak pelincir dan pengurusan.

“Sebelum ini, jika bas ekspres mendapat 35 penumpang pun syarikat sudah boleh mengaut keuntungan, tetapi sekarang walaupun bas penumpang penuh sekali pun, belum tentu mereka untung,” katanya.

Noh berkata, kertas cadangan akan dirangka dalam masa terdekat sebelum dikemukakan ke Kabinet yang seterusnya akan menilai kewajaran kenaikan yang dicadangkan.

“Kerajaan akan mencari penyelesaian dengan mengambil kira kebajikan rakyat dan memastikan pengusaha tidak terus rugi kerana sudah ada syarikat gagal menjelaskan pinjaman akibat kenaikan kos operasi,” katanya.

[allurban]

a nice contrasting viewpoint.

Cheers, m

Investigate before simply heaping blame on taxi drivers

IN response to “Solve woes of taxi drivers” (The Star, Jan 22), I would like to relate my first visit to Penang before I decided to move here.

When I walked out from the hotel, a hotel worker asked me if I needed a taxi, and when I replied that I did, he helped to get me a taxi which was parked in front of our hotel.

The fare was RM35, said the hotel boy, and I agreed, believing that it was the best price. We reached our destination and I paid the taxi driver. He offered to fetch me back a couple of hours later.

On the way back, we stopped by his home because he had received a call from his wife who needed some money for food. He was living in a rundown wooden house.

When we reached the hotel, I gave him RM35 but he gave me back RM10 and told me that the real price was RM25. Because the hotel boy earlier took RM5 from him for that trip, I was charged RM35.

This happens in most hotels in Penang island and, as always, the authorities just blame the taxi driver without investigating the real culprits behind the incident.

The honest driver with the rundown wooden house was so charming that my wife and I decided to help him give up driving a taxi to start his own business, and he even helped us get a house in Batu Feringghi.

THOMAS EDMUNSEN,
Penang.

[rizalhakim]

Najib urges Proton to expedite design of ‘M’sian taxi’
by Surin Murugiah
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com


KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has urged Proton Holdings Bhd to expedite the design of a standardised taxi to be used in Malaysia.

He said that although the market for such a model was relatively small in Malaysia, the potential for such a standardised design would be immense if it became the vehicle of choice for taxi operators.

“I believe this can become a reality provided Proton can offer the vehicle at competitive prices and emphasise the comfort and safety of both driver and passengers when designing the car,” he said.


Najib (2nd from left), Noh Omar (to Najib's left) and Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (left) taking a closer look at the new taxi by Proton yesterday.

Najib was speaking at a ceremony here yesterday to present offer letters for individual taxi permits to operators from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya and Seremban whose applications for the permits were successful.

The government has agreed to award up to 3,000 individual taxi permits and yesterday’s 1,419 recipients were under the first phase of successful applicants from a total of 7,560 individuals.

Last June, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Datuk Noh Omar said the government had asked Proton to design a taxi that could be uniquely identified as a “Malaysian taxi”.

Under the plan mooted by the cabinet, existing taxis comprising different makes and models would gradually be phased out and replaced with a standard model that would also be fitted with a fuel-saving device as well as the natural gas vehicle (NGV) kit.

Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir had then said the company would study the request by the government as a change in design required extensive research and development.

Last December, Proton introduced its new Proton Saga taxi fitted with the NGV kit. Currently, four consortiums in Kuala Lumpur, namely Public Cab Sdn Bhd, KCM Fleet Sdn Bhd Avenue Drive (M) Sdn Bhd and Perniagaan Lima Sejati Sdn, have started using the new Proton Saga taxis.

[nazrey]

New bus and taxi fares by April
Saturday January 24, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: New bus and taxi fares are expected to be announced in the first quarter of the year after taking into consideration the needs of passengers and public transportation operators.

Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said the proposed fares had been submitted to the Entre- preneur and Cooperatives Deve- lopment Ministry earlier this month.

“(The minister) Datuk Noh Omar will get feedback from the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry before tabling it to the Cabinet next month,” he told Bernama yesterday.

He was commenting on the date for revising public transportation fares following a drop in fuel prices and other factors that triggered an increase in fares.

“The approach used in the proposal is how to increase the quality of public transportation services through the revision of fares and focusing on customer satisfaction.

“We are not forgetting bus and taxi operators because the last fare revision was done in 2005,” said Markiman, referring to the time when subsidised diesel cost 65 sen a litre, compared to RM1.43 now.

[rizalhakim]

New bus and taxi fares by April


KUALA LUMPUR: New bus and taxi fares are expected to be announced in the first quarter of the year after taking into consideration the needs of passengers and public transportation operators.

Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said the proposed fares had been submitted to the Entre- preneur and Cooperatives Deve- lopment Ministry earlier this month.

“(The minister) Datuk Noh Omar will get feedback from the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry before tabling it to the Cabinet next month,” he told Bernama yesterday.

He was commenting on the date for revising public transportation fares following a drop in fuel prices and other factors that triggered an increase in fares.

“The approach used in the proposal is how to increase the quality of public transportation services through the revision of fares and focusing on customer satisfaction.

“We are not forgetting bus and taxi operators because the last fare revision was done in 2005,” said Markiman, referring to the time when subsidised diesel cost 65 sen a litre, compared to RM1.43 now.

[rizalhakim]

Teksi hubungkan JB-Singapura

Oleh Khadijah Ibrahim
utusanjohor@utusan.com.my



DERETEN teksi Johor Bahru ke Singapura di Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru. – UTUSAN / ishak rahmad

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JOHOR BAHRU 10 Mac. – Jika ingin ke Singapura dengan selesa dan mudah, apa kata guna sahaja perkhidmatan teksi yang terdapat di Terminal Teksi Pasar Bakti, Kotaraya II, Jalan Trus di sini.

Teksi milik Persatuan Kebajikan Tuan-Tuan Punya Teksi Kereta Sewa Johor Bahru ke Singapura itu hanya mengenakan tambang RM10 (seorang penumpang) sahaja untuk perjalanan sejauh 26 kilometer (km) hingga ke perhentian teksi Jalan Rocher, Singapura.

Memang murah jika dibandingkan dengan harga perjalanan dalam bandar yang ada ketikanya mencecah RM15 untuk perjalanan dari perhentian teksi Larkin ke Taman Bayu Puteri.

Bagaimanapun anda akan dikenakan bayaran S$10 (RM24) jika menggunakan teksi dari Singapura ke Johor Bahru.

Yang Dipertua Persatuan, Haris Md. Sawin berkata, setakat ini sebanyak 174 buah teksi sentiasa bersedia beroperasi 24 jam untuk menghantar penumpang ke seberang tambak tanpa mengira waktu.

Katanya, perjalanan dari stesen teksi Johor Bahru ke Singapura hanya mengambil masa selama satu jam sahaja jika tidak berlaku kesesakan jalan raya.

Bagaimanapun perjalanan yang singkat itu boleh memakan masa hingga tiga jam, jika pihak berkuasa di sana mengadakan operasi ke atas kenderaan keluar masuk ke negara berkenaan.

“Masalah pemandu teksi adalah mereka tidak dapat menepati masa kerana semuanya bergantung kepada keadaan di jalan raya. Kalau tidak ada kesesakan, penumpang akan sampai ke destinasi dengan cepat.

“Kita tidak menyediakan jadual kerja untuk ahli. Semua bergantung kepada ahli untuk bekerja pada waktu yang sesuai. Selalunya, kalau mereka membawa penumpang pada sebelah pagi, petang baru kembali ke sini. Itu semua bergantung kepada penumpang,” katanya di sini, baru-baru ini.

Jelas Haris, terminal teksi Jalan Trus atau lebih dikenali sebagai perhentian teksi Johor Bahru-Singapura telah berbakti kepada orang awam lebih 20 tahun.

Katanya, orang ramai selesa menggunakan perkhidmatan teksi kerana di setiap pos pemeriksaan, penumpang tidak perlu turun untuk menjalani pemeriksaan.

Sebaliknya, mereka hanya perlu memberi pasport kepada pemandu yang akan uruskan kesemuanya dan pemandu teksi juga sedia membantu penumpang memberitahu mereka maklumat tentang destinasi yang hendak dituju.

[rizalhakim]

Cabaran jadi pemandu teksi dua negara


DUA pemandu menunggu giliran untuk membawa penumpang Johor Bahru ke Singapura di Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru, baru-baru ini.

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JOHOR BAHRU 10 Mac - Bukan mudah menjadi pemandu teksi tempatan yang membawa penumpang berulang alik dari Johor Bahru ke Singapura.

Ada ketikanya mereka terpaksa menunggu lebih 10 jam untuk mendapat penumpang di perhentian teksi Jalan Rocher, Singapura sebelum kembali ke Johor.

Sekiranya, mereka kembali dengan teksi kosong, maka pendapatan pada hari tersebut tidak mencukupi untuk membayar kos tol atau sewa kenderaan.

Malah, pemandu juga akan dipersalahkan jika penumpang membawa benda-benda larangan. Itulah risiko yang perlu dipikul oleh para pemandu teksi yang sering berulang alik ke negara tersebut.

Bagi Chang Hu Tow, 71, yang sudah 45 tahun menjadi pemandu teksi dan kini membawa kereta sewa ulang alik dari Tangkak - Ledang ke Singapura, senario begitu sudah lumrah.

Jelasnya, walaupun sampai di Singapura awal, namun beliau terpaksa tunggu lama untuk mendapat pelanggan ke Tangkak.

"Selalunya saya keluar dari rumah pada pukul 8 pagi, semua itu bergantung kepada pelanggan. Kalau mereka mahu bergerak awal, saya ikut sebab perjalanan mengambil masa selama tiga jam.

"Dari Tangkak - Ledang ke Singapura, saya kenakan tambang sebanyak RM180 dan balik pula S$120 (RM287). Apa pun sekarang ini pendapatan saya menurun sebanyak 30 peratus kerana pengguna sudah ada banyak pilihan," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini, baru-baru ini.

Menurut Hu Tow, ada ketikanya beliau terpaksa mengambil penumpang yang bukan hendak kembali ke Tangkak bagi memastikan teksinya tidak kosong apabila pulang ke Johor.

Bagi A. Wahab Hashim, 49, perkara yang sering menguji kesabarannya adalah ketika menunggu penumpang.

Katanya, di Johor Bahru untuk mengumpul empat penumpang bagi sebuah teksi mudah berbanding di Singapura terutamanya pada waktu pagi kerana ramai rakyat tempatan yang bekerja di negara itu.

"Nak dapat empat penumpang bagi sebuah teksi untuk balik ke Johor Bahru memang susah, sebab kebanyakan penumpang lebih gemar naik bas kerana harganya murah.

"Kadang-kadang pemandu teksi Malaysia terpaksa menunggu lama kerana orang Singapura sering mengutamakan rakyat mereka. Lagipun di sana pemandu teksi mereka bebas ambil dan turun penumpang di mana sahaja. Kita pula hanya boleh ambil dan turun penumpang di terminal," katanya yang sudah 15 tahun membawa teksi.

Sementara itu, Zaini Basir, 59, yang membawa kereta sewa dari Melaka ke Singapura berkata, sekarang pendapatannya kurang berbanding dulu sejak kerajaan negara tersebut memberhentikan para pekerja.

"Pada tahun 2000, saya kerap berulang alik ke sana kerana ramai polis yang bekerja di sana menetap di Melaka. Sekarang ini, bila usia pun sudah meningkat dan pelanggan pun yang biasa sahaja, saya jarang ke sana.

"Kalau ada pun atas permintaan pelanggan. Dalam seminggu adalah, dua kali saya membawa penumpang ke sana. Untuk perjalanan dari Melaka ke Singapura saya kenakan bayaran RM220 dan dari sana pula S$180," katanya yang mengambil masa selama tiga jam lebih untuk sampai ke Singapura.

[ntly1]

Our Malaysian taxi trend of not using meter is just too disappointing & disgusting!
A strong enforcement of curbing this trend is needed!

source: TheStar

Don’t let tourists shy away from Malaysia

READ with disgust and anger the letter by a foreigner in “Tourist abused by cabby who refused to engage meter” (The Star, March 20). Is this the way Malaysians treat our visitors? How can the taximan be so rough on foreigners? I am deeply disturbed by this trend.

Such behaviour must be strongly condemned. It is not acceptable, especially when Malaysia needs the tourist dollar to keep from sinking into a recession.

There have been far too many reports of errant taximen, from locals and tourists, and nothing seems to be done to address this.

I hope the authorities will act on the foreigner’s complaint as we have to send the right signal that visiting Malaysia is a beautiful experience for tourists.

If our behaviours are allowed to continue like the taxi driver, no visitors will come to our country and we, Malaysians, will end up the ultimate losers.

BULBIR SINGH,
Seremban.

[rizalhakim]

Taxi fare from JB to S’pore is RM5 more


JOHOR BARU: The taxi fare from here to Singapore has gone up from RM10 to RM15 per head effective yesterday.

Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Federation acting chairman Ahmad Osman said the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board approved the increase last week.

The federation comprised the Johor Baru City Council and Singapore Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, the Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Drivers Employer/Owners and the Johor Baru-Singapore Bhd Taxi Services Co.

Ahmad said the rise in fare was necessary for them to cope with inflation and to offset other charges such as the Electronic Road Pricing and toll charges in Singapore and Johor Baru.

Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said the people should consider it a fare revision instead of an increase.

“We also have to bear in mind that the taxi charges by our Singaporean counterpart are much higher – S$10, which is about RM23.80 per trip,” he said.

[rizalhakim]

Commuters irked by JB-S’pore taxi fare rise
By GLADYS TAY


JOHOR BARU: Taxi commuters between Johor Baru and Singapore were shocked by an unexpected 50% increase in the fare from RM10 to RM15.

They were taken aback by the price increase upon reaching the taxi terminal in Pasar Bakti here where they learnt about the drastic rise which came into effect on April 2.

Commuter P. Mallika, 45, who was annoyed by the increase, said she would consider taking a bus to work.


Uptrend:Ahmad (fourth from right) and some taxi drivers pledging to provide better service follwoing the fare increase in Johor Baru recently.

“I took the taxi because of the reasonable charge,” said the taxi coordinator, adding that the increase should not have been allowed as the petrol price had dropped.

Hairstylist Cindy Ng, 30, who commutes daily by taxi to Singapore, said it would have been better if the increase had been between RM1 to RM2.

She said the increase would burden the people more, especially with the economic downturn.

“I have been taking taxi to work in Singapore for more than ten years and this is the greatest fare rise I have experienced,” said Ng.

Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Federation acting chairman Ahmad Osman said the rise was necessary for taxi operators to cope with inflation and charges such as Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and toll charges in Singapore and Johor Baru.

The federation comprises Johor Baru City Council, Singapore Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Drivers Employers/Owners and Johor Baru-Singapore Bhd Taxi Services Co.

Ahmad explained that taxi operators had to pay S$3.50 (RM8.30) for ERP per trip to Rochor in Singapore and S$0.60 (RM1.40) toll at Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore and RM1.90 toll at the CIQ in Bukit Cagar.

He said the operators were now allowed to take passengers to other destinations within a 33km radius from the Johor Baru-Singapore Taxi Terminal in Pasar Bakti.

“However, passengers will have to negotiate with the drivers on the fares,” he said during a press conference at the taxi terminal here on Friday.

When contacted, Commercial Vehicles Licencing Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said the new fare was a revision and not an increase.

He said the route from Johor Baru to Singapore had been realigned and was further with the opening of the CIQ.

“We have to bear in mind that the taxi charge by the Singaporean counterparts is much higher, S$10, which is RM23.80 per trip,” he said.

[rizalhakim]

Nazri expects taxi coupon report in 30 days


KUALA LUMPUR: The new minister in charge of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) has given it 30 days to come up with a report on the taxi coupon system.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz said he would look into the possibility of publishing the coupon fares to make it more transparent.

“The public will know what to expect. I will also meet the taxi drivers and concessionaires to thrash out this matter,” he said.

Some taxis – particularly those operating at tourist spots – use the coupon system.

Nazri said he wanted to resolve the issues of errant taxi drivers refusing to use meters and accidents involving express buses.

[allurban]

how ironic that the "Taxi Permit King" is now responsible for fixing the taxi system.

I guess everyone deserves a second chance.

Cheers, m