BY: AZLIN MAT WAZIR

In a conversation with several metered taxi drivers stationed at a bus stop near the TMC Supermarket in Lucky Garden Bangsar, they voiced complaints over a number of issues plaguing them which must be looked into by the Transport Ministry.

Apparently, according to them, a few members of the Bangsar Baru Residents Association have hit out at them for overcharging, rude behaviour and not plying their trade by the rules and regulations laid down by the government.

The plight of public taxis or metered taxis were always overlooked and ever since the advent of e-hailing taxis they have been having a hard time making ends meet which Malaysians and the government fail to understand.

A public taxi starts moving once you get in from a rate of RM3 and increases by time and distance at 25 sen which is arguably, and most likely, the cheapest fare in the Asean region and the rate has not changed to keep up with the times.

Public taxi drivers are finding it hard to earn a living and they are saddled by many constraints and restraints which forces them to double up as drivers for e-hailing companies or their regular contacts which they have managed to establish.

But passengers also have their grievances such as meters being tampered, drivers refusing to follow instructions or being bullied and being subject to harsh words or profanities or being threatened and intimidated especially senior citizens.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher