SPAD clamps down on illegal taxis at KLIA2
The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is coming down hard on illegal taxis at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) following complaints about pirate taxis and their touts.
During an operation named Op Parasite on Sept 10, the commission nabbed two pirate taxis and a tout.
The 90-minute operation started at 9pm and involved 132 SPAD officers who went undercover as passengers at the arrival hall.
The illegal taxi drivers and touts were booked for offering public transport services without licence, fixing a rate for transport services, picking up passengers at a non-designated place, and for not using the meter.
One of the pirate taxis seized was a Mercedez Benz which offered two tourists from China a ride for RM120. The car was confiscated while the driver, a 57-year-old man, was taken in for questioning.
“From January till now, we have nabbed two touts and 11 pirate taxis in KLIA2.
“The cases are being investigated and if found guilty the culprits will charged under the Land Public Transport Act,” said Major General Datuk Paduka Che Hasni Che Ahmad.
For the pirate taxis, the vehicles will be confiscated and if found guilty, the ownership of the vehicle will be cancelled, while the touts will be brought to police station, released on bail, and prosecuted later.
Drivers of pirate taxis could be charged for offering transport services without a permit and liable for fines not more than RM10,000, and imprisonment of not more than two years or both.
Che Hasni said touts could face a fine of not more than RM50,000 or five years’ jail.
“I urge these people not to tarnish the image of our country. Tourists are being cheated on the first day in our country.”
Che Hasni said the pirate taxis charged between RM120 and RM300 for a single trip from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur city compared with the RM80 standard rate charged by licensed taxis.
“The rates may even go up to RM500 depending on who the passengers are, whether they are locals or tourists, and the type of car used.
“The charges are higher if a luxury car is used and if the tourists are from rich countries.
“There was a case of an Arab tourist who was charged RM500.
“The pirate taxis also put the lives of their passengers in jeopardy as the drivers are not registered with us.
“Vehicles offering public transport at KLIA and KLIA2 such as budget taxis, metered taxis, coupon taxis and limousines are registered with SPAD. These taxis are insured but the pirate taxis are not,” he said.
On how the pirate taxis operate, Hasni said the cars are parked around the KLIA2 building and the drivers loiter in the arrival hall waiting for passengers.
In some cases, the pirate taxis were recommended by friends of passengers who had visited Malaysia before and they will arrange with the pirate taxis to fetch them upon arrival.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
