Better taxi service needed<\/p>\n
I'd like to share my dire experience at the Soekarno-Hatta
\nairport recently so that would-be taxi passengers can be aware of
\nan irritating problem.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Oct. 22, 1994, at about 6.30 p.m. on arrival at
\nthe airport's Terminal II from Surabaya, I joined the queue for a
\ntaxi. As my turn came a President taxi happened to be at the
\nfront of the taxi line. Before I boarded, the driver asked me
\nwhere I was going and I informed him: \"Slipi.\" Then he demanded a
\nsum of Rp 20,000. Naturally I refused to pay that much as I knew
\nthe normal charge was Rp 11,000 to Rp 12,000 for that distance.<\/p>\n
Instead I went to the next taxi in line, Express No 167 (if
\nI'm not mistaken the plate number was B. 2538). When I opened the
\ndoor the driver inquired why I did not take the President taxi. I
\ntold him why and insisted I wanted a taxi which utilizes the
\nmeter.<\/p>\n
The Express taxi driver didn't say anything as I boarded. My
\nconclusion was that he was willing to take me to Slipi with the
\nmeter on.<\/p>\n
When we had traveled about 200 or 300 meters the driver said:
\n\"Please pay me Rp 25,000 for the ride.\" And switched the taxi-
\nmeter off.<\/p>\n
I did not think the Express taxi driver a stupid fellow. He
\nshould have known that I would pay according to the meter, not in
\nan outrageous amount requested. The driver insisted I should pay
\nwhat he asked. Following a lengthy argument, I felt deeply
\nannoyed and asked to be let out at the Damri's bus stop, still in
\nthe airport complex. \"OK, pay me according to the meter, but you
\nshould also pay the toll fee for me to return to the airport,\"
\nthe driver said to me.<\/p>\n
I objected strongly to this. There is no regulation which
\nobliges a passenger from the airport to pay the toll fee for the
\ntaxi to return to the airport. The passenger has only to pay the
\ntoll fee leaving the airport.<\/p>\n
I chose to alight at the bus stop in the airport complex,
\nalthough it was already dark. The driver asked for compensation,
\nat which I offered Rp 2000. He was still angry because he said he
\nhad paid Rp 2,500 as a surcharge to the airport official. I said
\nI would pay the surcharge, keeping the surcharge card for myself
\n(the card is usually for passengers to appraise the performance
\nof the taxi driver).<\/p>\n
The driver got even angrier and asked that I return the card.
\nAs I wished to shun further quarrel, I gave him the card and paid
\nhim Rp 1000.<\/p>\n
I have been told it is common for taxi drivers at the airport
\nto ask for specified amounts from passengers, rather that turn on
\ntheir meters. It is detestable. The airport authorities should
\nimprove the taxi services, after all taxis are an airport
\nfacility that is in great demand. It is no use giving passengers
\na card by which they can appraise a driver's performance. The bad
\npractice should be stopped if the system is expected to run
\nsmoothly.<\/p>\n
My suggestion is that in order to get out of the airport it is
\nmuch safer and also cheaper to take Damri buses rather than
\nriding unreliable taxis. I also would like to appeal to the
\nExpress taxi management to educate their unruly drivers in order
\nto maintain a good image of the company. Or is it something that
\nhas to be taken for granted?<\/p>\n
LENAH SUSIANTY<\/p>\n
Address withheld<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/better-taxi-service-needed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }