Counting in total, I've already been working in KL for a little more than a year and three months. No one really asked me how I thought about this place. Really, it isn't too too bad. Having said that, there are *rolling my eyes* tons of tidbits that seriously causes some major point deductions. Of course, with this topic, I can write as much as a book, but I’m not about to fill my life with all these negativities that shall be forgotten as soon as I move out of this country. Actually, I’m quite glad I’ll always have that choice.
Now, what kind of “tidbits” am I taking about? In particular, today, a visit had to be paid to the nearby hospital for my minor toe infection caused by ingrown nail. Don’t ask for details, trust me, you don’t want to know. But a little medical advice, never ask for oval or squoval when doing pedicures as they may cause ingrown nails due to the growth of the flesh to cover the receding corner only to face the slow growth of the nail later on. It can be uber nasty, so just avoid as much as possible. If in doubt, oval or squoval only in the white regions of your nail tips. Any shorter and you’ll end up like me- a pus-sy toe that smells like overdue milk. Gross.
Anyway, back to what I was saying, I had the nicest taxi driver on my way to the hospital. He didn't try to pull any tricks or continue brainless topics. It was “meter on”, drive, chat & pay out. As simple as that. After my session with the doctor, I had returned back down to the front of the hospital, eyeing a taxi to take me back home. You would never believe how long I waited…
30minutes. For a taxi IN city center.
I mean seriously, there are only two scenarios when I would accept such a wait: one, all passing taxis are full; and two, no taxis passing. Except, I had several “shopping” taxi drivers, who saw us (there was also another lady heading to Damansara Heights), pulled over to ask where we wanted to go, rejected and drove on. Honestly, you’re a taxi driver. You make money taking people around, and no, this taxi station is NOT a “shop” where you pick and choose your passengers. Okay, yes, you can choose customers if it came down to concerns of safety, but otherwise, you take whatever business there is. THAT is the core principle of the taxi industry.
Side note: In most shopping malls, hotels and major transfer hubs, there are taxi stands where you can purchase a ticket stub that is the exact fare measured by distance plus a service fee of usually RM2. From experience, there's a budget taxi stand (black & yellow signs) right before you exit into the arrival lobby of the airport. You can easily get a RM75 ride right into the Gold Triangle. There's also a taxi stand inside KL Sentral where you hop on/off the LCCT buses. I mean, you do have to pay an extra RM2 on top of what the metered price would be measured by distance, but it saves you the potential over-cost from traffic jams. On top of that, you don't need to worry about toll fees or haggling! How about that :)
That reminds me, there have been several taxi driver strikes around town in front of various notable hotels. According to the nice taxi uncle, the location for that day was Dorset Regency. So, what could they possibly be complaining about now? For the life of me, no idea. Now, I didn't make this next “fact” up. The taxi uncle told me that most of them make more than enough by overcharging aka. making non-metered trips. Of course, it’s one thing to make known to all taxi-users that they MUST request for metered trips, and another to make sure that the taxi drivers use the meters. It’s a two-way thing, really. If no customers fall for the business of haggling, then it will no longer be a trick the taxi drivers use. If taxi drivers follow the rules, there would be a consistent request for meter-use that non-metered trips will become unacceptable by all customers. In a way, this “habit” must be taken seriously by both parties. If there were to be a weak link, it would fall apart.
So what’s the solution? Simple: Broadcast, nationally and internationally, the requirement to use meters on all taxis. Failure to do so can incur the suspension or loss of taxi license. Knowledge is power. Knowing their rights as customers, they will help shape the taxi industry, and maybe along the way, recall the “natural goodness” in a few.
(it LOOKED normal, but under that glittery nail polish, trouble was brewing!)
In the end, I limped home. Thanks but no thanks KL.