Taxi service in Batam poor

BATAM, Riau: Foreign tourists called on the Batam authorities to raid taxies operating illegally and to repair the local transportation system to help promote tourism on the tax-free island.

G. Preira, a Singaporean tourist, said many foreign tourists complained about the poor transportation system and the poor local taxi service.

"Taxi drivers have arbitrarily imposed their own fares on tourists because taxies operating on the island are not equipped with meters," he said.

Preira who came to Batam along with his two American friends said they were very disappointed with a taxi driver who had charged them S$200 (Rp 1.1 million) for a 25-km journey between Nongsa and Nagoya, two tourist resorts on the island.

"We have lodged a complaint with the local police but no action had since been taken against the taxi driver," he said.

He said Singaporean tourists would be reluctant to visit the island unless local authorities repair the transportation system and raid all illegal taxies.

Around 3,000 foreign tourists from neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand visit the island weekly. -- Antara