By Xavier Kong
The entire mess with the taxi industry has been dragging on for so long is something that is really getting on Tiger’s nerves. If it is really that difficult to figure out what to do, hark then, and hear what this Tiger has to suggest!
As it stands, the matter of taxis, ridesharers, and the Public Land Transport Commission (Spad) is something that requires work from all three parties, though some more than others. But considering the bunch is either running around like chickens or like the fox that has stolen a chicken, Tiger, being a tiger, feels uniquely qualified to offer the following list to the principals of the issue.
1. Efficient and speedy decision making can do wonders.
First, to Spad. The first bit of advice Tiger has is to make up your mind, post-haste. Consider Uber’s retreat out of Germany, where legislators had put their foot down quickly, rather than let the issue fester like an unpopped zit as it is here in Malaysia. Making up your mind quickly allows for a rapid response, which would lead to Spad not having to play scapegoat, or having the Transport Ministry jumping the gun.
2. Efficient enforcement may be something to look into.
At the same time, efficiency should also come in the form of enforcement. It is not unknown that taxi mafiosi, who ruin the good name of the honest bunch of taxi drivers out there (bless their souls), hang out at certain areas. Kelana Jaya LRT station is a hot favourite, for example, so would you kindly get off your behinds and get to it? This is why people say you do nothing!
3. Look for ways to improve the reputation of the taxi service.
Also, what about a non-nepotic reward system for good taxi drivers? Some form of recognition, or bonus, maybe even a fee waiver? Heck, maybe a RM100 voucher on vehicle maintenance? There has to be some way to show taxi drivers that being good pays off better, right? Courtesy, along with proper service standards, can go a long way in improving the reputation of Malaysian taxi drivers. And Spad, for some reason, Tiger does not think the intensive training courses are working.
4. Abolish the pajak system!
At the risk of sounding like a certain action star’s fictional uncle in a cartoon series, one more thing! What has happened to the whole promise to abolish the whole “pajak” system where taxi drivers are renting permits from companies? Please, do something about what our esteemed prime minister has called nothing short of modern slavery, and abolish this system.
Of course, Tiger is not saying to give out the licences willy-nilly, but to properly screen all taxi drivers, as well as the vehicles they drive, and offer licences only to those who qualify. Again, this should be non-nepotic, nor should bribery be any part of this.
5. Complacency has no place in business.
Taxi drivers are not entirely free of blame either. Yes, this Tiger understands that there is the concept of seeing ridesharers as unfair competition, but the perspective here seems odd to Tiger. The saying remains that life is never fair, so to expect the ironclad rice bowl to forever remain unbroken seems unrealistic, as is expecting someone that has been branded as the “enemy” to fight fair. Complacency is something that has to be shaken off for the industry to really wake up.
6. Band together for the betterment of all.
Taxi drivers are also among the most well informed regarding the actions of the taxi mafiosi, already knowing where to avoid, as well as where to go. So why do taxi drivers not work with Spad to oust those who ruin their reputation? Is it a matter of trust? Or has the “tidak-apa” attitude really carried taxi drivers to forget about how important a good reputation is in the public transport service?
Tiger would also like to suggest that perhaps the lack of competition, in the past, has played its hand in encouraging the lackadaisical attitude.
7. Initiative and courtesy, however, will always have a place.
Also, rather than wait for Spad to do something or for some industry disruptor like Uber to come along and dropkick your rice bowl into orbit, why not practise self-improvement? Not only would it provide a different set of skills for you to work with, there is also the option of improving your own service attitude.
Knowledge is never something to ignore. And on the matter of courtesy, well, just imagine. Would you treat your own mother the same way some of you treat your fares? No? So why treat your fares that way?
8. Why fight the authorities?
To the ridesharing services, Tiger has something to say about working with the authorities. Since Spad has already made the move to approach ridesharers, why not reciprocate? On the same note, why not tell of the cooperation at the same time? Not only would it increase the confidence of both the driver partners supporting the service but also the riders that would be using the service as well.
9. There are proper channels in place. Use them.
Another thing to note is that the gung-ho method of charging in guns blazing into a market, no matter how you may deem they are in need of the services you provide, tends to be the wrong way to go about things. Not only will toes be stepped on, which may in turn affect the chances of the application obtaining legislation, but there is also the matter of a first impression. May Tiger once again point out Germany?
10. Remember your promises.
Last but definitely not least, Tiger would like to remind all parties involved to remember their promises. One particular suggestion from Tiger would have been to look for driver partners among the taxi drivers of the country before opening it up to everyone else. Might have helped to lower the animosity a fair bit. Then again, hindsight is 20/20.
Once again, Tiger begins the year with big hopes and big dreams. Here’s hoping that the saying about spit and wishes will not come true again. But hey, who does this Tiger think he is kidding, right
GRRRRR!!!
Yesterday: The cancer in the taxi industry
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