Bad taxi service<\/p>\n
The poor distribution of reliable taxis in Jakarta is one
\nthing that never ceases to cause me stress. Take the Soekarno-
\nHatta airport, for example. Trying to find a decent taxi there is
\nlike trying to find a needle in a haystack, with most of the
\ntaxis refusing to use their meter and demanding astronomical
\nprices.<\/p>\n
One would think that in an international airport, the taxi
\nservice would be at least satisfactory. Don't we want to create a
\ngood first impression for foreigners? Alternatively, one can take
\nthe AC express bus, but it is unfortunately so poorly advertised
\nand hidden away that many people don't even know that it exists.
\nSo on arrival, foreigners must endure the inevitable haggling and
\nharassment by aggressive taxi drivers. Having just set foot in
\nthe country, a bad impression of it has already been formed in
\ntheir heads.<\/p>\n
Finding a reliable taxi is a strenuous task not only at the
\nairport, but also at many other places around the city. Two
\nexamples include Pondok Indah Mall and Carrefour Lebak Bulus.
\nMost of the taxis outside the entrance doors look as if they were
\nsalvaged from a rubbish dump, and the Air-Conditioning is usually
\nlong gone. Many shoppers who cannot afford to pay the ridiculous
\nfares here are forced to lug their shopping out onto the main
\nroad in search of a reasonable cab.<\/p>\n
Most of the taxi stands at these places are actually reserved
\nfor more reliable companies, such as Blue Bird. However, once
\nagain the problem boils down to corruption, with the \"anti-meter\"
\ntaxi drivers paying bribe money to some of the security officials
\non duty. This allows disreputable drivers to monopolize taxi
\nstands, canceling out chances of customers finding a decent cab
\nto travel home in.<\/p>\n
At times, even when using \"reputable\" taxis, I have come
\nacross drivers with serious attitude problems towards their
\npaying customers. When given directions, some drivers will refuse
\nto listen, insisting that the road is macet (congested), or that
\nthey know a short cut. A few of them will even rip off naive
\nwestern tourists by taking advantage of their lack of knowledge
\nabout Jakarta's roads. In order to bump up the meter, the driver
\nwill take the passenger on an unnecessary half hour city tour,
\nwhen really the trip should have taken less than 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
I understand that many people, including taxi drivers, are
\nstruggling to make ends meet in these days of economic hardship.
\nDrivers especially must feel the pressure of these hard times,
\nbut must remember that they are hard for all of us. Everyone
\nshould strive to practice fairness and good business ethics.
\nPaying customers deserve good service from drivers. If the
\ndrivers cannot give this, then they do not deserve the customer.<\/p>\n
ELIZA ALLAN
\nJakarta<\/p>",
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