KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar has urged taxi drivers 'with an attitude' to change their ways as it would only reflect badly on them and Malaysia.     

"They should be ashamed of themselves," he told Bernama when asked to comment on a British taxi service comparison website that rated Kuala Lumpur taxi drivers as the worst in the world.

The website had implied that Malaysian taxi drivers overcharge passengers by using the longer route or refusing to use the taximeter.

Syed Hamid said SPAD, with the cooperation of the taxi drivers' association, had carried out various programmes to improve taxi service quality.

"We are aware of the local and international community's negative perception. Hence, why we rebranded the service as 1Malaysia Taxi (TEKS1M).

We introduced the 'executive' and 'limousine' taxis. We provided passenger-friendly training; we increased the fare and the latest, the MeterOn app through which passengers can lodge a report with SPAD.

"But what is important is that the taxi drivers change their attitude," he said. — Bernama