Saturday, July 15, 2006

A tale of the cab driver and a Mid-East Tourist

Last night, me and another lady colleague tried to catch a cab to Time Square for a department dinner, it was treated by sales management department due to our hardwork during quarter end.
We walked to KLCC to catch a cab due to Jalan Pinang is so jammed and the car didn't really move much.
While we were waiting, I saw a taxi driver was having a big argument with a mid east family. The tourist refused to pay the driver because the meter reads RM43, so I walked to them and ask them what is going on, trying to be the judge of the case. The tourish said that he came from hotel Impian, last time it only cost him RM5 and this time the taxi driver asking RM43, I am not sure how far is Hotel Impian, so I asked the passenger how far he stay inside the taxi, he told me 10-15 minutes, the driver was damn angry, he said it is one hour! I look at the traffic situation, I don't think 10-15 minutes can make it to KLCC, however, I also doubt that it is one hour, RM43 is a bit rediculous too.
Later on, my colleague tried to drag me away from the argument and catch another taxi, so I have no choice to walk away and meet up with her. We tried to catch a few taxis and some refuse to fetch us and some asking for RM15 to go to time square, usually is around RM7-RM10 with traffic. I refused to pay this kind of driver because I don't want this happen to other tourist, like if possible, I am not going to give any bribes!
After ten minutes, the security guard settle the argument issue and the tourist reluctantly paid the driver, I waved at the driver when he come to my direction and he agreed to take us there with the meter on, so we went into his car, listen to his complain about the mid-east guy. I can tell that he is very mad...
We sat in the car for about 25-25 minutes then only we reached Time Square, what it really pissed me off is, the meter came out with RM23.90!! &*^#%^&!%! I should have paid RM15 just now, too bad I forgot to take down his car number plate and license number, I think the meter has been obviously adjusted, I don't think for a 20 minutes journey the taxi bill can run up to RM24, I regret that I didn't scold this fella!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alfred:

Yes, there are so many asshole driver in town asking for ridiculous price. However, take a look from different angle, Malaysia taxi fare (provided that if it is run by unmodified meter), is relatively low, this cause low income for being a taxi driver, thus, they are force to cheat the tourist...

So who to blame ? kekeke

Unknown said...

Which is worst? 苏州过后没teng塔 (pardon my chinese)...or 肉在zham板上?