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Sunday, March 22, 2015

Defiant cabbies to use new fare despite Cabinet’s delay call

Taxi drivers gather to protest against the Cabinet’s call to postpone the fare hike today in Jalan Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, March 22, 2015.Taxi drivers gather to protest against the Cabinet’s call to postpone the fare hike today in Jalan Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, March 22, 2015.
Defiant city taxi drivers today said they would ignore the Cabinet directive to postpone the new fare hikes until they had received an official directive from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to revert to the old fares.
Badan Bertindak Pemandu Teksi Bermeter (BBPTB) chairman Amran Jan said around 40% to 50% of its more than 6,000 members have recalibrated their meters to the new fares after SPAD had announced fares for budget taxis in the Klang Valley would increase to 25 sen per 200m.
"We ask those taxi drivers who have changed the meters to continue their operation in accordance to the new rate, as long as SPAD does not come out with a directive to cancel it (the new fares).
"As long as there is no circular from SPAD, or Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who supported the fares increase, we will not comply with any objections," Amran said in a press conference that was attended by more than 80 taxi drivers today.
He said the taxi associations for metered taxi drivers supported SPAD's decision to increase the fares as they had to bear the increasing maintenance cost for the past six years.
"All registered metered taxi drivers support the new rate as it will address cost issues and help us deal with rising cost of living," he said. 
Meanwhile, Persatuan Transformasi Pemandu Teksi Malaysia (Persim) deputy chairman Kamarudin Mohd Hussain said those who opposed the decision to increase fares suggested the prime minister was wrong in allowing the increase.
"Are they saying the prime minister is not wise?"
The Cabinet yesterday instructed SPAD to postpone the fare hike for public transport.
Muhyiddin said that the timing of the fare hike was "unsuitable" as it would coincide with the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) on April 1.
SPAD on Thursday announced that taxi and hire car fares would increase by between 20-67% with immediate effect while express bus fares would go up 22.6% on May 15.
Its chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the fares were streamlined after considering the needs of the operators who were burdened with the rising prices of goods and the interest of the public.
Amran today explained that for the past six years, taxi drivers had to bear the increasing cost of cars maintenance that has risen by 30-45%, which was one of the reasons that led to the hike.
He said those taxi drivers who had calibrated their meters had paid certain amount of money to Puspakom and related companies when SPAD announced the new fares.
"I believe all taxi drivers here have changed the rate fares and paid Puspakom RM55, with an overall cost between RM100-161. If the Cabinet says (the new fares) will be put on hold, who wants to change back the meter. Who wants to claim the money?"
He added that taxi drivers would also be affected once the goods and services tax (GST) implemented, as their daily rental to company and payment to Puspakom would also be taxed.
"The public, consumers, NGOs and politicians need to understand that taxi drivers too will be affected with GST. We are also Malaysians. For instance our daily rental to company will be charged with GST, as well as payment to Puspakom."
On Malaysians being burdened with the rising of cost of living, Amran said the taxi service only affected certain groups as the demand was lower compared with other public transportation, such as the bus.
"We really want this new fares to continue, if SPAD had to postpone it, we will have to do another gathering, or declaration or strike. We will decide on that later." he added.
- TMI

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