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Kuala Lumpur Taxi Driver Scams ReviewsTips 21 - 30 of 30  
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Taxi Driver Scams: Taxis in Malaysia
  • By dangibas on June 15, 2006
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  • I rely heavily on taxis for my regular journeys to and from my office. One day I was late for work - and I approached a taxi stand outside an LRT station. All too often I have faced the same faces - sitting waiting to cheat pedestrians in this area and would often have to wait up to an hour for a friendly taxi to pass by that will be willing to get me to my office at the legal price.

    This time over I could not wait to get to work - I had had enough of these same taxi drivers disturbing not just myself but the whole community I live in. I decided to take down the registration numbers of all of the taxis, one by one as they refused to take me to my office - I was determined to report them in the hope that one day they wont be sitting outside the LRT anymore but will be replaced by friendly drivers who are willing to take passengers at the correct fares.

    The leading taxi driver began shouting at me in Malay. I looked up to see what was going on... within the space of a few seconds he had grabbed a huge metal pipe from the back of his car and was running at me shouting "You want some?". After dodging a few attacks from the raging madman's metal pipe, I made it to the other side of the street, where I had to wait 45 minutes for a taxi to stop and take me to my office. After all of this the taxi driver that did get me to my office automatically deducted a tip for himself.

    Please report all of your bad experiences with taxi drivers. The information you report will make a positive change. For more information on the crazy taxi problem please see this website...

    www.teksigila.com

    Never ever bargain with a taxi driver - make an angry face and walk off. Every tourist that bargains with them just makes the problem bigger. If you all - allways say NO then one day the problem will have evaporated and they will all use the meter.

    Please report all of your bad experiences with taxi drivers. The information you report will make a positive change. For more information on the crazy taxi problem please see this website...

    www.teksigila.com

    We do not have to put up with the atrocious volume of crimes committed by taxi drivers in this country. It is a subject we cannot simply ignore.

    Please report all of your bad experiences with taxi drivers. The information you report will make a positive change. For more information on the crazy taxi problem please see this website...

    www.teksigila.com


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    Taxi Driver Scams: Taxi Scams : Errant Cab / Taxi Drivers.
  • Updated By DexterTan on January 9, 2006
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  • It pains me to write about Malaysia as this is my home country. However, even locals are not spared from errant cab/taxi drivers who refuse to charge according to the meter.

    The government had been trying to straighten this out for many years now but to no avail. As a citizen I am dissapointed by the lackadaisical stance taken by the authorities to educate and prosecute errant taxi drivers.

    The problem starts at night, maybe after 9.30pm when the city slows down. Some taxi drivers will refuse to use the meter when ferrying passengers, reasoning that the area you are going to is remote / outskirt and it would be impossible to get passengers/fare for the trip back and you'd have to pay the fare both ways if his service is engaged. This is of course a tourist trap.

    If you are a tourist however, you might be scammed at any time of the day.

    Well at least know where you are going to. You may want to note the take metered fare on an earlier taxi that you had taken a ride in to the area during the daytime. The "overtime unmetered" off-hours fare should not stray more than 50% from the metered fare.

    If you do not want to avoid getting into this predicament, then pick a hotel in the city centre where you'd find many places to unwind at night, or find a place to enjoy yourself near the hotel.

    You may want to stay in a hotel within walking distance to the LRT (Light Rail Transit) station. It operates until 11.30pm (I think). Not all taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur are scam artists but many of them are. You're wondering about the traffic jam in Kuala Lumpur and why most Malaysians own cars... well here's one of the reasons.

    Insist on the taxi driver charging using the meter whenever you can!!

    Nevertheless... enjoy yourself in my home country. Apart from some tourist traps (which are found in almost every other country or city) its a great place to visit... great shopping and low prices.

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    Taxi Driver Scams: Gripes about Taxi Drivers
  • By iwannabe on July 21, 2007
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  • It seems that Malaysia is the only country in Asia where the price of taxis rise faster than the inflation of the country.
    There are some tips, tourist should be careful about when taking taxis in Malaysia, especially KL.

    Ask if they go according to the taxi meter, otherwise ask them to quote a fair before boarding. If you can speak Malay, they might charge you a local rate.
    Try not to hail a taxi from the curb side.
    Do not hail a taxi outside your hotel. It is amazing how high the flag down rates for a trip downtown can be.

    Bargain with them if possible. Most of the time, they will relent.

    Wear T-shirts of the Malaysia companies such as HSBC, Maybank etc so they will think you are locals and charge you less.
    Try to take the LRT is possible. This way you aviod teh jams and get to your destination faster with less fustrations
    Take the Rapid KL bus that takes you to most major tourist attractions.


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    Taxi Driver Scams: Dangerous Taxi Drivers in KL.
  • Updated By shazinkl on March 30, 2007
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  • My husband and I have been living in KL for several years now. We dont have a car so have plenty of tales to tell about the taxi drivers here. We have met a few honest decent ones but the majority are out to cheat anyone they can. My biggest concern is how quickly they can turn threatening and abusive when challenged about using the meter. As a woman who often catches a cab on my own this is a major issue so I want to warn others.

    If you have to catch a taxi you will probably end up being ripped off no matter how savvy you try to appear. The best advice is just to get out if they wont go on the meter. In fact do your negotiating before you get in as these morons are unpredictable and quickly become abusive and even violent. One of the biggest dangers if you are in the cab is their dangerous driving. Several times drivers have got really angry when challenged about the fare/route etc and they drive excessively fast, often torpedoing along on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. This happened to me yesterday and culminated in my scrambling out in fear of my life with him yelling in my ears what he was going to do to my Mother....if you get my drift............and all this right outside KLCC, at lunchtime in Visit Malaysia Year 2007..............
    My advise.................go to Singapore instead !

    The problem is that for many trips around the city there really are no alternatives to using taxis. The infrastructure is poor and the monorail and LRT lines are not connected. Walking even short distances is hazardous due to uneven pavements/potholes/no road markings/snatch thiefs and the majority of Malaysians flagrant disregard for the rules of the road eg, they dont stop at traffic lights or pedestrian crossings (many of them will actually speed up as they hurtle towards you) They park on the pavements forcing pedestrians to walk on the road. All of this is compounded by a totally ineffective police force who huddle in little "port-a-loo" type hutches at the side of the roads ignoring the chaos unfolding in front of them. I can only assume these little boxes are high crime areas that so many police can be found in them.....................


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    Taxi Driver Scams: KL Taxi Cheats
  • By pigka on May 9, 2007
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  • Stayed in KL for 1 night. We went to Mid Valley for shopping & decided to take a cab to Pasar Rakyat to catch our coach back to Singapore. We waited at the taxi stand & a Premier Taxi came by with a bulky Indian driver. We asked how much to Pasar Rakyat from Mid Valley & he replied its by meter. Along the way he started to ask questions on where we are from, did we stay at the hotel at mid valley, what coach did we book back to Singapore. When we reach Pasar Rakyat the meter fare was M$6.70. He started to demand that the fare is M$27.00. Not wanting to kick up a fuss as it was already about 9.00pm & the place was quite quiet we paid up.

    TIP - dont admit you are Singaporeans as the taxi drivers think they can always overcharge us because of the exchange rate.


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    Taxi Driver Scams: Bargain Taxi rates
  • By anandm on May 4, 2005
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  • Taxi rarely run by the meter and the drivers usually try to charge you up to 5 times the correct rate.

    Check with the hotel staff on the rate for the place you are visiting and bargain with the driver before you even get in. Fix the price and then get into the cab. If the driver asks for too high a price, just go to the next taxi.

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    Taxi Driver Scams: Not Worth The Hassle
  • By morninglory on August 19, 2004
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  • The red/white taxis are quite dodgy. They choose passengers. Well..at least they will take any tourists than me, the local. But be careful, they might take you the longer way to reach your destination.

    Familiarize yourself with city map and say up front that it is not the way. If they insist, ask to stop the taxi and pay whatever amount on the meter and jump out. Or else say that take you to the nearest police station. They will chicken out.

    Take bus or now there's a few lines of trains that can take you. In fact..much easier and faster. Monorail to take you around the city triangle from Bukit Bintang to Jalan Sultan Ismail. LRT takes you from city centre to the outskirt of the city and Putra Line from KLCC to Kelana Jaya.

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    Taxi Driver Scams: Not all taxi drivers are crooks
  • By tombo5609 on April 18, 2008
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  • To anyone visiting KL I would advise to get a local taxi driver and make friends and use him at all times. He will appreciate the rgular fares and be of assisstance to you. I adopted a lovely man called Vincent and not only did he take us whever we wanted at a reasonable fare but on our departure from KL he gave us a little gift as a memento of our visit. I wish I could remember his tel No. to let people see that not all taxi drivers are crooks.


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    Taxi Driver Scams: LCCT taxi service cohort with touts
  • By DrSuraj on February 9, 2008
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  • Whatever you do, do not take the LCCT taxi services! Even in your most desperate moments. The following is a summary of their absolutely degrading, demeaning (for Malaysians) and high handed services.

    My flight arrived from Bali (AK 905) on 8th February 2008 @ 10.30pm. There are two passengers (including myself) and 1 large baggage with 4 other smaller bags. Upon queuing up for about half an hour, I was informed that there are no more tickets for budget or (mini van) category taxi's. They offered premier taxi's that cost RM77.30 to the Subang area. The lady at the counter asked me which area I was residing and I informed her it was in the Subang area near Hyatt hotel. She recorded this in the receipt which I still have. Below are more detailed accounts of the whole episode:

    1. Walked aimlessly to the domestic counter from the taxi counter which is about 100 meters away. Not a very convenient location.
    2. Found the premier taxi's by accident since there were no signs to direct us there. Went up to the taxi driver of a black Hyundai bearing registration number WAQ 5372 and handed the ticket to the driver.
    3. Loading of luggage into the trunk of the taxi was done by me with the driver just looking on instead of lifting a finger to help
    4. The driver sped to the destination as I think he wanted to return to the airport to get the after midnight 50% extra on picking up more passengers. The luggage in the trunk was thrown around including fragile items that were purchased.
    5. Upon arrival near the destination, the driver insisted to drop us off at Hyatt hotel instead of our house which is in Puncak Nusa Kelana Condo. This is when the extortion begins.

    con't....

    con't....

    6. From the underpass where he was about to make his decision it was 500 meters to Hyatt and 800 meters to our home. The driver started asking for more money and extorting us threatening not to drop us off at the destination, slowing down the taxi and mentioning that the amount usually charged is RM77 not RM71. He failed to realise that I had paid RM77!
    7. I bit my lip and allowed him to drive to our home where I opened the trunk myself and unloaded the baggage with the taxi driver looking on.
    8. I then gave the driver a tongue lashing as he was no longer in control of the situation. He challenged me to make a report and took down the condo details. He asked the guards at the condo for my name and unit number and threatened to send "people" over. He said that the amount for this area is usually RM99 which was firstly not communicated to me when I got the ticket and if he had issues he should deal with the company not with the passengers. For another 200 meters the cost is RM20? If that is the case, it is approximately 180KM from my condo to LCTT so using the same costing of RM10 for 100 meters the total taxi cost should be RM18,000! Perhaps the drivers should also consider education at least if not for themselves, for their children; otherwise they would end up with the same mathematical and other mental deficiencies.

    Ensure the correct address and fare are printed on teh receipt
    Get written confirmation
    Get the supervisor contact number in the event of problems
    Request for polite driver (if at all possible to find one)

    Local taxi with meter
    Call taxi from KLIA airports @ 60387778888

    The company (at the ONLY counter just after arrival immigration services) monopolises the entire airport area. Because of this monopoly they feel they can operate in any fashion that they desire. This is a farce and giving Malaysia a very bad reputation for tourists especially of being hit by touts as soon as they enter our country! It’s not enough that the tourists are manipulated but the Malaysian's themselves are conned in the same way! LCCT is either just turning a blind eye to this or working hand in hand with these operators as they have done nothing despite numerous posts and complaints. Syabas LCCT...another job well done! Malaysia boleh!

    I can be contacted on drsurajmenon.my@gmail.com for verification of authenticity of this posting.


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    Taxi Driver Scams: KL TAXI
  • By shaunak on February 25, 2008
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  • best way to travel

    Recently been to KL. Nice city friendly people. Taxi's are unique as they do not run on meters.
    best way out is to fix the fare before you travel.If require bargain with them, within city limits do not pay more than 10 ringets if you are travelling slightly farther e.g the national zoo then 20 ringets should be o.k. No point in skipping taxis till you find someone who would agree to ride by meter. Best bargain with them as they are not too unresonable.


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