|
|
Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish national image  AFP -
Thursday, September 18KUALALUMPUR (AFP) - - The ads promoting "Malaysia: Truly Asia" aim towelcome visitors with a warm smile to a prosperous and modern nation,so the taxi fleet branded "the worst in the world" can come as a bit ofa shock.
Eventhe locals are not spared the shabby service of unkempt and hostiledrivers behind the wheels of decrepit vehicles who refuse to use themeter, overcharge and pick-and-choose which destinations they willtravel to.
At the popular KLCC mall under Kuala Lumpur's iconicPetronas Twin Towers is a typical scene, as a gang of cabbies negotiatewith a young Norwegian couple just metres from a signboard warningagainst "taxi touts".
"Flat rate, flat rate, no metre," onedriver insists as the tourists try to find a cab to take them to theirhotel, less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.
Anxious toescape the baking heat, they agree to pay 25 ringgit (7.22 dollars) fora trip that would have cost less than three ringgit on the meter.
"Is it expensive? We don't know, we thought it is normal here," said the woman as they piled in with their shopping bags.
Morefrequent visitors, however, are vocal in their criticism and say thataggressive and unprofessional drivers are tarnishing the nation's imageas a squeaky clean and hospitable destination.
"I first visitedMalaysia in 2006 and I was impressed by everything I saw except for theworst taxi service I have endured," said Kabir Dali, an Indian touristwaiting in vain for a metered taxi at another mall.
"I paid awhopping 260 ringgit (74 dollars) from the Kuala Lumpur InternationalAirport to town and was later told that was twice the proper amount."
Complaintsabout taxis are common in many countries, but in Malaysia it hasescalated to an outpouring of frustration, on blog sites and in lettersto newspapers.
In a survey by the local magazine The Expat, some200 foreigners from 30 countries rated Malaysia the worst among 23countries in terms of taxi quality, courtesy, availability andexpertise.
The respondents lashed the fleet as "a source ofnational shame" and "a serious threat to tourists -- rude bullies andextortionists".
Salvation is in sight though, as a number ofsmaller, up-scale operators enter the market to provide a moreexpensive but quality taxi service for frustrated visitors and locals.
Theuniformed drivers, behind the wheels of smart new multi-purposevehicles and sedans, switch on the meter as a matter of course and donot refuse destinations -- surprising and delighting commuters in thecapital.
Abdul Razak, operations manager for Dubai-based Citicabwhich launched here in January, said that even in poorer nations suchas Thailand and Indonesia, taxis are smarter and the drivers far morecourteous.
"I would say it is the worst in this region,undoubtedly. I have travelled to all countries in this region and ourcompany operates taxis in many parts of the world. The situation hereis the worst I have seen," he told AFP.
"The vehicles are inshabby condition, the driver will take you if he likes your face --that is, if he agrees with where you want to go for the price heinsists on."
The government has called on taxi firms to lifttheir standards, but various campaigns have achieved little, and manyblame the lack of enforcement on rampant corruption in the police andbureaucracy.
"It is difficult for the roads and trafficdepartment to take stern action," said a security officer at one citymall as he watched the touts swoop.
"Taxi operators and thecompany which hold the licences are all linked to some politician oranother," he said. "Drivers here are ruthless because they areunchecked by authorities who are almost non-existent."
JohnKoldowski, from the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said that "lessthan desirable" taxi drivers have an outsize impact on a nation's image.
"Thefirst contact a tourist gets with locals is often during airporttransits to hotels and it creates a very, very strong first impression,either be good or bad," he said.
"Authorities certainly need to do their jobs and act upon any complaints strongly, quickly and visibly."
kalau pemimpin menipu... ini lah akibatnya |
|
Post time 18-9-2008 05:27 PM
变色卡
Author
