Take a cab to anywhere in Penang for only RM5
Susan LoonePublished: Mar 4, 2015 9:31 AM | Updated: Mar 4, 2015 9:38 AM
The Penang Consumers Protection Association (PCPA) said it’s timely that taxi drivers using the MyTeksi app have taken steps to repair the less-than-rosy image of taxi services in Penang by charging a promotional flat rate of RM5.
The flat rate is a promotion valid for the month of March and is applicable for trips of any distance on the island only.
The Penang Consumers Protection Association (PCPA) said it’s timely that taxi drivers using the MyTeksi app have taken steps to repair the less-than-rosy image of taxi services in Penang by charging a promotional flat rate of RM5.
The flat rate is a promotion valid for the month of March and is applicable for trips of any distance on the island only.
PCPA president K Koris Atan said that the move by the taxi drivers to redeem their image was timely especially after the recent remark made by Toursim and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Nazri had said that ‘unlawful’ taxi drivers was the leading factor that prevented Kuala Lumpur from being ranked as the best shopping city in the world by American TV giant, CNN.
Koris said that he has personally used the services of MyTeksi drivers and found them to be “satisfactory and safe”.
He urged the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) - which has jurisdiction over public transportation in the country - to study the move by MyTeksi (above), to see if the promotional flat rate could be applied in elsewhere to promote taxi services.
“We have heard so many complaints of how taxi drivers treat our tourists. Penang is one of the cities which has been hard hit by bad services by local taxis,” Koris told Malaysiakini.
“The thing is, taxi services are not only used by tourists but by locals too. If the price is affordable, more will use it as an alternative means of transport,” he added.
Haggling eliminated
At a press conference held in Penang earlier, MyTeksi city manager Loh Ji Yuan said to date, only one-third of 3,000 taxis in Penang have signed up for the app which is must be downloaded to their smartphones.
He said MyTeksi drivers had decided on the promotion as Penangites have a ‘very negative perception’ towards taxi drivers.
“But we want to tell the public there are only some bad apples in the industry, not all of us are like that,” Loh (left) said, adding the RM5 promotional flat rate was to help the public regain confidence in local taxi drivers.
He said the MyTeksi app tackled two main issues involving taxi use - haggling and safety.
“Our app informs clients of the fixed rate before they use the taxi service. It is also safer now as the driver’s identity, including their face, name and car registration numbers will be provided to those who book using the My Teksi app.
“Since our beta launch in April last year with our official launch was in September, our booking rate have grown 900 percent,” said Loh.
“Anyway, we are waiting for SPAD to announce the new taxi rate this April following the implementation of the GST to see how they going to enforce it and how can we comply,” he added.
The flat rate is a promotion valid for the month of March and is applicable for trips of any distance on the island only.
PCPA president K Koris Atan said that the move by the taxi drivers to redeem their image was timely especially after the recent remark made by Toursim and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Nazri had said that ‘unlawful’ taxi drivers was the leading factor that prevented Kuala Lumpur from being ranked as the best shopping city in the world by American TV giant, CNN.Koris said that he has personally used the services of MyTeksi drivers and found them to be “satisfactory and safe”.
He urged the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) - which has jurisdiction over public transportation in the country - to study the move by MyTeksi (above), to see if the promotional flat rate could be applied in elsewhere to promote taxi services.
“We have heard so many complaints of how taxi drivers treat our tourists. Penang is one of the cities which has been hard hit by bad services by local taxis,” Koris told Malaysiakini.
“The thing is, taxi services are not only used by tourists but by locals too. If the price is affordable, more will use it as an alternative means of transport,” he added.
Haggling eliminated
At a press conference held in Penang earlier, MyTeksi city manager Loh Ji Yuan said to date, only one-third of 3,000 taxis in Penang have signed up for the app which is must be downloaded to their smartphones.
He said MyTeksi drivers had decided on the promotion as Penangites have a ‘very negative perception’ towards taxi drivers.
“But we want to tell the public there are only some bad apples in the industry, not all of us are like that,” Loh (left) said, adding the RM5 promotional flat rate was to help the public regain confidence in local taxi drivers.He said the MyTeksi app tackled two main issues involving taxi use - haggling and safety.
“Our app informs clients of the fixed rate before they use the taxi service. It is also safer now as the driver’s identity, including their face, name and car registration numbers will be provided to those who book using the My Teksi app.
“Since our beta launch in April last year with our official launch was in September, our booking rate have grown 900 percent,” said Loh.
“Anyway, we are waiting for SPAD to announce the new taxi rate this April following the implementation of the GST to see how they going to enforce it and how can we comply,” he added.
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