Useful tips for taking a taxi
Criminal behavior involving taxi drivers robbing their passengers is on the increase in the city. Take, for example, the woman who was robbed and raped in North Jakarta. Novi of Cipinang Muara and Dian of Rawamangun were also recently robbed by their taxi driver. There were also many other similar cases that were not reported to the police.
In order to avoid such an unpleasant incident here are some useful tips for taking a taxi: 1. Order a taxi from a reputable taxi company as your order will be certainly monitored. If you get into trouble while in a cab, you will be immediately assisted because now there is such a thing provided by taxi companies called a Global Positioning System (GPS), which can track the position of the cab you are in. 2. Take a taxi from a credible company if you happen to be on a street. Notice the lamp of the crown of the cab and the company's name written on its side door. Ask the driver whether he'd like to take you to your destination, before getting into his cab. Then, take a look at the cab's number and the driver's identity card, which are usually attached to the dashboard and the door as well as giving time to jot down or at least remember them. Look at the driver's appearance. Look, whether he behaves properly, has short hair, wears a uniform and shoes? Do not make any bargain if the driver doesn't want to use the cab's fare-meter under the pretext that it is out of order. 3. Be careful when dealing with taxis waiting in a queue, usually at airports, train stations, hotels or bus terminals as the driver tends not to use the taxi meter and will ask the potential passenger a certain amount of money (maybe double the regular fare) for an agreed destination. They also often refuse to take passengers going for just a short distance. 4. Avoid dealing with a middle man. Instead, find an official transportation officer. You can easily recognize them by their uniforms and identity cards, if you are at the airport.
ARVIN HARDIAN
PR Department
Blue Bird
Jakarta