GEORGE TOWN, March 5 — About 1,000 taxis will offer a flat rate of RM5 for a ride anywhere across Penang island until the end of this month.

MyTeksi city manager Loh Ji Yuan said the flat rate for MyTeksi vehicles was to counter negative public perception of taxi drivers.

Among the complaints are that taxi drivers overcharge, are rude, and refuse to ferry passengers to certain destinations.

Penang taxis also have a long-standing bad reputation of refusing to use their meters.

“It’s a case of some rotten apples spoiling the whole barrel. With this RM5 promotion, we hope to change these negative perceptions,” Loh said.

“We want to regain customers’ trust and confidence. It’s also to encourage the public to take taxis.”

Penang has 3,000 registered taxis and a third of them work for MyTeksi.

The special RM5 rate will apply for bookings made through the MyTeksi app.

MyTeksi started in Penang last April and, according to Loh, the taxis have enjoyed a 900 per cent increase in bookings since then.

He said the app would assist commuters to check on whereabouts of booked taxis while waiting and share information on their location with their family members or friends while travelling.

“The MyTeksi app is designed to avoid issues of haggling over price and safety concerns,” he said.