'I have no other choice but to take a taxi'

'I have no other choice but to take a taxi'

A taxi passenger reported to the police last week she had been
robbed by a group of three men inside a taxi owned by a reputable
taxi company. The news has renewed concerns over the safety of
taxi passengers. The Jakarta Post asked residents how they
ensured their safety while taking a taxi.

Maharani, 32, lives in the Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex
in Tangerang, Banten. She works on Jl. Rasuna Said in South
Jakarta.

I take a taxi once or twice a week, or sometimes every day if
I do not want to drive. Usually, I take a taxi to meet with
clients.

The recent robbery involving a taxi driver makes me feel
insecure because the incident happened in a taxi owned by a
company many people believe to be the best in terms of safety and
service.

I still take taxis because I have no other choice. I do not
want to take other forms of public transportation because they
are not comfortable.

I hope something will be done to protect taxi passengers
because taxis are vital for many people, particularly because
other forms of public transportation are so bad.

Edo, 29, works at a bank on Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta. He
lives on Jl. Raya Ciputat in Tangerang, Banten.

The recent taxi robbery shows just how poor the public
transportation system here is. Taxis supposedly offer better
service than other forms of public transportation. We do have a
busway line, but that only covers a limited area.

There are, however, still many people who take taxis despite
their concern over being targeted by criminals.

For those people who have to take a taxi, I would suggest that
they always remain on the alert.

I always tell my sister to note down the door number and name
of the driver before getting in a taxi. I also tell her to send
an SMS to me or someone else she knows giving us the number of
the taxi and the name of the driver.

-- The Jakarta Post