Taxi operations in Bandung

Taxi operations in Bandung

From Neraca

It is strange, but true. Taxis operating in the Bandung
municipality have, since last year, become illegal public
transportation. To be more explicit, Bandung cabbies prefer to
ignore the presence of their taxi meters.

Passengers have to bargain beforehand about the fee before
they are driven to their destination. Despite complaints filed by
the public to the Directorate of Road Transportation and the
police authorities, their complaints have gone unheeded.

Bandung citizens, used to coping with such situations, would
come up with alternative ways of bargaining. They might bargain
in the region of the fee of the proposed trip, if they are
familiar with the route. It would be a different case with new
arrivals, though.

In my case, I experienced something that was close to highway
robbery on Nov. 12, and which calls for extreme caution on the
part of strangers when dealing with Bandung cabbies.

When I left the bus at the Luwispanjang terminal and asked to
be transported to Jl. Halimun, the cabbie demanded a fee of Rp
20,000-Rp 25,000. I bargained for a fee of Rp 10,000, which he
turned down.

I was fortunate, however, to have found a cabbie who did not
mind taking me for the official taxi meter fee. I was shocked
when I discovered that the fee came to Rp 4,300, since Jl.
Halimun proved to be a short distance away from the terminal.

Mr. mayor, I am pleading with you to follow up on complaints
from the public.

FAJAR SUGIJANTO

Bandung, West Java