Taxi Driver Scams, Kuala Lumpur

it is my first time to go abroad, so we arrived at the KL Sentral station at 2am. before we go here, my friend told us that from KL to Cheras will only costs around 10MYR. when we're going to ride a 'teksi', the taxi driver did not want to use the taxi meter and instead, will lend him 45MYR for the trip. we we're surprised that the trip will costs about that big, so we ask him to use his meter, or give us a discount. Because of the time and we really want to sleep, we did not argue no more to the driver and gave him what he want. But we asked to discount it for 30MYR. the driver did not want it and he said he will discount us for 40MYR. ok. fine.

Unique Suggestions: for the next 2 days of stay here in KL, i talked to some of the drivers i had rode in, and told them what happened. they we're surprised and they gave me few tips:
1. ask to open his taxi meter. if he doesn't want, report him or look for another taxi.
2. if you found a trusted taxi driver, ask for his number. so that you can call him incase you needed his service.

Fun Alternatives: There are also alternative ways not to spend a lot on riding taxis all the time: LEARN how to ride a Train and Bus. :P call a taxi and ask him to take you to the nearest bus/train station, and learn how to ride it. it's simple, it's fun, and it's a great adventure. Have a safe trip explorers! :)

Hi there,my name is mustafa.my contact number is +0107774208.Read this following comment then you will know why i gave my phone number.I am a taxi driver in Kuala Lumpur.There for i really understand of all your complaints here.Do you guys know that cost of living in K.Lumpur at the moment is higher than Singapore?Those taxi driver have a family to feed like you guys.And the are persuading not forcing you to agree with them.You guys are the people that offering them a scam bussines by mention the magic word 'How much'?You guys already know that Kuala Lumpur is practising meter taxi but still mention the word again and again..Cant you just use your veto consumer power by just get in and mention the 2 right word.Meter please and mention your destinataion.Thats it.All desired passenger are also know K.L have a fully assured meter on if you hail or simply go for the 'blue cab'.I can bet you with my life there will be no question ask beside on the meter and start drives to your desired destination.It is all as easy as 123.So stop being hipocriate.Taxi fare in k.l is already the cheapers unless if you compare with any other city that not as modern as kuala Lumpur.

If you think the taxi coupon stands inside KL Snetral is Safe from scams, think again.

I bought 2 taxi coupon tickets from KL Sentral to Tune hotel. I gave 50MYR and was given only 14MYR. I checked the tickets and it said 13MYR each. This means I am short changed by 10MYR.

10MYR may not be much but imagine if there are more people like me who do not go back and demand for the exact change. Then he can actually rack up lots of dough for the whole day.

The guy at the counter insisted he gave me 2 pcs of 10MYR but i showed him the bills he gave me which I have not yet placed inside my wallet. I only managed to step aside and count but did not leave the window.... that was why i was confident that even if they check the cctv camera, it will show that I have been short changed.

The guy unwillingly handed me another 10MYR and shook his head and a smirk.
I do not care as long as i get my right change.

Unique Suggestions: always check your ticket for how much it is. Sometimes they charge extra when you are not looking.

*I realize when you smile a lot and act nice, you attract more scammers. So I suggest you keep a straight face when paying. I guess this is a case to case basis but I observed when I am more serious... they always give me exact change.

Fun Alternatives: ALWAYS CHECK YOUR CHANGE...

We were told that if we put luggage in the trunk it cost 3RM and the driver pointed at the the luggages we placed in the trunk. When we got to the hotel and asked "is this it?" the taxi driver said "get out" and started taking out the luggages, then extended his hand for the extra money.

I gave him 10RM since i did not have change. He went inside the taxi and drove off... I later found out that 1 luggage= 1 RM so i was not supposed to pay 3RM = 1 luggage.... It was a rip off!

sigh*** what a way to be welcomed to Malaysia!

Unique Suggestions: KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY!

Do not ask the taxi driver how much! EVER! always asked other people (even those on the streets) how much it will take to ride a taxi from one point to another.

OR

at least know that 1RM for each luggage in the trunk is the proper pricing
IF you did not put luggage in the trunk and placed it beside you in the cab
you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY the trunk fee.

Fun Alternatives: Always asked for meter to be on
Always negotiate before taxi leaves
Always ask other people how much it should cost
DO NOT let the security guard of the hotel get the cab... usually they take a 5 to 10RM cut
from the taxi cab (sigh)

This is written by a local KL cab driver. For taxi drivers and tourists to KL and Malaysia in general.
I last drove a KL cab 9 years ago in mid-2002 and started to drive a KL taxi again just this week... April 2011. So much for improvement up the socio-economic ladder! OK, OK... KL taxi drivers are an opportunistic lot... they have to be because of the long working hours for a nett profit of RM100-150/day. And many a time, the daily take is half of that! In USD/AUD $, that's between $33-50/day for 10 hours or more on the road. This daily take has not changed much since 2001. So saying, the government is not doing cab drivers any favour by increasing the dollar/km taxi rate in July 2009. It is cancelled out by inflation and rising taxi rental fees, petrol and NGV prices.

Admittedly, the number of errand taxi drivers exceed honest cab drivers. Many love waiting in lines outside shopping malls, others like the 4-5 star hotel circuits. Some have blogs and websites announcing their services but never seem to charge their published rates once they snare a tourist. Meters? Some find it bothersome to flick it 'ON'. Some are definitely RUDE, THREATENING and LOUD.

Unique Suggestions: The 'how-to' in getting KL taxis?
1. Avoid taxi parked just outside mall and hotel entrances. 90% are scumbags.
2. If a taxi rank exist, immediately 'Ask' if they use the meter. DO NOT get into the taxi when doing so, just open the door and ask. Get in if the answer is YES. Repeat process twice and walk away from the taxi rank if the answer is still NO.
3. Hail a Taxi a few meters (say 30-50metres) away from the taxi rank or group of taxi drivers. Chances are a taxi will stop and take you using a meter. Always remember to ask on 'meter use' first.
4. Remember this: Taxis in KL and Selangor use meters (they should anyway) only in urban areas/city limits. Inter-city fares are negotiated and generally reflect fair fares. I carry a fare list for inter-city travel to make sure I don't short-change myself or my passenger!
5. On inter-city trips, if you ride in a metered taxi or 'Teksi Bermeter', that taxi ride is yours and yours only for that trip! Never get on a cab with 'Kereta Sewa' markings on its roof and doors. It is actually a Hired Car (it is a legal cab by the way)! It means the driver can and will stop along the way to pick up other passengers before dropping you off. Chances are he will quote you a figure higher than a metered taxi and ask your fellow passengers to do like wise. So he then goes home early after getting twice or triple the going rate. They exist, so be WARNED!
6. Any trip to KLIA or LCCT attract a standard (legal) RM12 surcharge in addition to toll fares for metered taxis. It is the law under Circular 8 of CVLB, 2009.
7. KL taxis can go as far as Cameron Highlands (not Ipoh, OK) in the north and Port Dickson/ Malacca down south.
8. Last but not least, always hint to a BAD BOY taxi driver you will report his taxi and/or his name to JPJ (Road Transport Dept) or LPKP (Comm. Vehicle Licensing Board). Use the Malay acronyms OK? They know they will earn demerit points if queried and proven guilty.

Fun Alternatives: Use the KTM Komuter inter-city train or the LRT or Monorel service if you feel you are not in any hurry to explore the city.

Fair taxi drivers exist in KL. But they are the minority. Remember, not many taxi drivers drive for the joy of it. Many cut corners, overcharging and the tourists' problems usually start from that point onwards.

But, if any out there do feel a need to take a taxi in Kuala Lumpur (KL) or Selangor or Malacca any time soon, give me a call at +60 14 6277046 (from outside Malaysia) or just 014 6277046. Email me at moh.hampden1@yahoo.com.au.

I may be able to help you get to your destination or point you to someone who can.
Regards,
MOH

Having travelled around the globe for the best part of 40yrs I recently had the misfortune of visiting KL. My family and I were ripped off 9 times out of 10 in our dealings with these dishonest bastards. On one occassion, because I had the temerity to question why the meter wasnt on I was nearly run over by the driver, this was infront of my 6 yr old son and wife. I have to admit arguing with him before this point but the idiot was a total scam artist nay, criminal. Whatever you do, just try and avoid the cabs at all cost. There is no foolproof way of not getting scammed. You can buy vouchers from taxi cubicles for predetermined destinations. In theory this is the best way...but the minute you are in the cab the driver will start complaining and asking for more money. I really dont want to return to KL because of them and they are an absolute disgrace to their country. If Malaysia hopes to attract tourism one of the first improvement they will have to make is to the "taxi industry"...

Unique Suggestions: Avoid taking taxis at all costs.

Fun Alternatives: public transport or walk, or simply don't stop in Malaysia.

I share this incident as a cautionary tale and warning to others. After a pleasant evening exploring Chinatown last night, we left jalan petaling at around 11.15pm to flag down a taxi outside McDonald's.

There were many about and one quickly pulled up in front of us and my wife opened the front door opposite the driver's seat to ask the usual, "Taxi meter, Times Square?"

The driver said yes and we were eagerly got into the back of the taxi pleased with how quickly we had secured an 'honest' driver it being only our first attempt. Other times around chinatown it had taken three or four attempts at 'Taxi metre?' to find a taxi that would use the meter. So we were both in a good mood, however, this was to be very short-lived.

"Where are you from?" The taxi driver asked. And I answered politely, and then he said, "you shouldn't ask me if is on the meter or not. There is a clear sign on the door that says 'negotiating a fare is prohibited. I am an honest..."

I was furious, "Are you kidding? Seventy per cent of the drivers don't use the meter in this country? That's ridiculous!"

The cab driver immediately pulled up by the traffic island after having just completed his U-turn under the bridge, and I said to my wife, 'let's just get out and leave it'. The driver muttered some indignity, and we quickly walked on.

Next thing, we know, this same taxi driver pulls up in front of us and jumps out of his taxi. "You pay me for the journey!" He barks at me. I tell him that's ridiculous when he had stopped the car without taking us anywhere except over the road. My wife tries to explain this to him, and he starts angrily waving one or two ringgit in the air, and saying something like if we hadn't got it he could give us it.

In retrospect, I suspect this is all about him trying to 'save face', but at the time I just thought this old shiek looking guy was demented. I held my wife back with one arm and asked him to call the police, pointing with the other, and told him we'd wait for them to arrive.

In retrospect, too, I don't think this was a particularly good idea, because he took out his mobile to make a call. I thought he was calling the police, but, if you're thinking like I'm thinking now after reading the posts here, this could have been anyone, and maybe not a 'somebody' so friendly either.

Maybe I should have taken my phone out and pretended to call the Police? Or would that be inflaming the situation?

The driver then returned to his taxi, but he didn't drive off. What was he waiting for? I couldn't help thinking.

I hailed another taxi, and it stopped, and it was a younger man, and he agreed to the meter, but no sooner had my wife climbed in the back, than the old taxi driver had jumped out of his cab and waved his arms in front of this taxi, 'Don't take them!'

A taxi driver who complains that you dare ask him if he's honest, in a corrupt industry, refuses to take you to your destination and then tries to stop another taxi driver from taking you instead, is a taxi driver from hell to me!

With all his cursing I hadn't been sure if he would have turned violent, or sought others to turn violent against me, but I certainly felt threatened and very protective of my wife, but I wasn't about to show him any sign of weakness.

As he argued with the driver not to take us at the new taxi driver's window, rather than get into the taxi, I quickly took out my phone and took a photo of the old taxi driver's licence plate, and then the old driver moved away, and I took a photo of him.

He came around the front of the car towards me, but I climbed in the back and told the driver to go! And despite the old man's protests, the younger taxi driver shrugged and drove off, with the words, "What happened back there?"

I still do not really know what happened back there, which is partly why I am writing this, too, and I would welcome any other views on what happened back there. My wife nervously rushed to explain, I think for fear this driver might do the same, and just dump us by the edge of the road.

He didn't. We were dropped off safely, paid the meter fare, and were enormously over-grateful. However, we were both left stunned and a little shocked by the experience. I can still see the old driver yelling, 'F**k you' from the driver's window as he drove by us, before stopping in front of us. Maybe I shouldn't have returned the remark, but it was unnerving.

There are clearly some taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur, 'Malaysia truly Asia', who are a law unto themselves. These drivers are clearly unintimidated by any regulations, indeed, who make a mockery of the attempts to regulate the industry with signs like 'negotiating fares prohibited' on the door, by being threatening and giving verbal abuse now!

I have since read that drivers like this get away with it because there is no regulatory body to control them, and taxi operating companies are 'in with' corrupt politicians so fear no reprisals from the police, either. Clearly, something needs to done about this, and if anyone has any ideas how I could go about reporting this, with any hope of a satisfactory outcome being achieved I would love to hear from them.

Otherwise, you have been warned...

Unique Suggestions: Dare I suggest ask first, "Taxi meter?"

Fun Alternatives: 1) If in any doubt, don't get into the taxi.

2) Don't enter into conversation with the taxi driver about anything. "No English" may suffice.

3) Try to avoid travelling alone in a taxi.

4) Take a mobile photo of the license plate BEFORE you get into the taxi - it may be too late afterwards! And/or write down the taxi driver's particulars once in the cab - these should be in a photo ID on the dashboard.

5) Avoid taking taxis altogether, like me, I will learn to use the LRT wherever possible in future.

First of all. 90% of KL taxi drivers are pure SCUM, and will rip you off if you give them the oppertunity. This usually means a fixed price that is 2-3 times more than the meter price. Never ride with a taxi on a fixed price. Fixed price is ALLWAYS a ripoff, no matter what the driver says. Remember that every time when approaching a taxi.

After living and working in KL for some time now I have a few tips on how to approach the taxi drivers.

The only way to approach the drivers is to in a clear voice say "METER" followd by your destination.

Meter shall allways be the first word you say. Don't say hello or anything else to them first. Never give them the oppertunity to start a conversation. What is important is to from the very start make it clear for the driver that you will accept nothing else than the meter fare. If he doesn't accept immediately just walk away. He will not change his mind.

Don't ever let the driver start the conversation. Then you are lost. If you do the driver will allways start to ask where you want to go, then he will get into some argument about traffic jam, too short distance, too long distance etc etc. Finally he will he will end up with a fixed price, and make it look as he is doing you a favor. He isn't.

You are most likely to find a taxi willing to go by meter if you hail it from the street. Forget about the taxis waiting outside the hotels and tourist attractions (they are there one reason only, and that is to rippoff people.). At less profiled locations you are much more likely to find a waiting driver willing to accept the meter fare.

Every time I have been to the Petronas Towers I have just for fun tried to get a metered taxi. Not even once have I succeed. But by walking only 50m out to the street I allways manage to hail a metered taxi quite quickly.

Ok, so lets say you have found yourself a metered taxi. This is however no guarantee that you will pay the meter fare. Keep you eyes on the meter during the entire trip. Sometimes the total amount on the meter increases significantly because the driver manipulates the meter. These drivers tend to drop you off on the street outside your hotel, instead of pulling up to the hotel, where the hotel staff could help you out with a difficult driver. When you are getting close to the hotel be very clear with the driver to pull up to the front door.

Driving detours is another scam. Learn your way around. If the driver, for some reaseon, says he have to go a different way than the shortest route he is lying.

Allways make sure the driver has a visible identification card and meter on the dash board before getting in. You don't want to travel in an illeagal taxi with an uncertified dirver.

Don't opt for taxis outside hotels along Bukit Bintang, don't even try to talk to one of the taxi driver or they will have a flock of taxi drivers to get you in their taxis and confuse you with words like "it's too far" or "traffic jam"
Walk towards Sungei Wang / Berjaya Times Square for taxi with normal rates and meter instead.

Just like any other city, Jakarta , Bangkok etc. Taxi driver some are helpful and some are not.
In Kuala Lumpur, I usually take the Innovasi Orange Cab. In Jakarta, I will take the Blue Bird. And Bangkok ... it is a bit different I was force to take the Pink Taxi .. b'cos my kids love pink taxi.