KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — As authorities prepare for a crackdown on the Uber taxi service, there seems to be no end in sight for the scourge of Klang Valley — rogue taxi drivers who refuse to use their meters.

Even Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) enforcement chief Datuk Che Hasni Che Ahmad did not sound surprised by it all, finding it amusing when Malay Mail told him of the findings of a recent probe on the rogue taxis.

“Are you new to reporting? This has been going on for years,” he said when contacted, adding there were on-going operations to curb the menace.

To find out if it was true that some taxi drivers refuse to use their meters and whether it was a major problem, Malay Mail, had over two days, encountered 29 rogue taxi drivers out of 35 who had flouted the law.

Checks revealed reasons for demanding a fee upfront — traffic jams, peak hours and faulty meters.

However, sources in SPAD claim that only 0.8 per cent of the total 39,000 taxi drivers in the Klang Valley were recently found to have committed the offence.

It was learnt that from 399 “Ops Tegas” operations conducted by SPAD until August, there were 839 cases of taxi drivers not using the meter.

Che Hasni said he was aware there were taxis without meters as well as those who charge flat rates and SPAD was conducting operations to curb the problem.

“If there are 30 teams dispatched to conduct operations, at least 28 of them will come back with reports of taxis not using the meter.”

He said the only way he can solve the problem was if complaints were made to the SPAD hotline numbers.

“Information on the date, time, car registration number and location needs to be provided before any action can be taken.”

He declined further comment when asked about the action which have been taken against errant taxi drivers.

According to SPAD sources, the commission conducted eight operations every month and this includes undercover operations and static checks. The operations were concentrated in Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Puduraya and at the KL International Airport.

Malay Mail’s probe was prompted by the recent brouhaha over the services offered by taxi-like smartphone application Uber which had received raving reviews from its passengers for its low fares and efficiency but had riled up taxi drivers claiming the services being offered were affecting their livelihood. 

The crackdown on Uber is set to take place on October 1.

Rogue taxi drivers who ignore regulations give their honest counterparts a bad name and it also tarnishes the nation’s image as cabbies are seen as he nation’s ambassadors on wheels.

Even popular destination websites including Tripadvisor and Virtual Tourist have singled out Malaysian taxi drivers as among the worst in the world.

A quick search online will reveal hundreds of postings, with many describing our taxi drivers as “notorious” and “globally infamous for fleecing customers!”.