'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