A taxi driver’s viewpoint on the Uber/GrabCar issue

Taxi driver viewpoint

The war between taxi drivers and ride-sharing services Uber and GrabCar has amplified in recent weeks. From local protests which saw taxi drivers ambush a GrabCar driver to requests for both apps to be disabled and more recently, rogue “arrests” of Uber and GrabCar drivers around KLCC by taxi drivers, things have certainly ramped up.

While the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has urged taxi drivers to focus their efforts into improving their services and image instead of going on protests, the taxi drivers have offered a viewpoint that the lack of enforcement by SPAD against these transportation network companies (TNC) is the reason why taxi drivers have taken the law into their own hands.

Taxi Drivers Protest Against GrabCar 1

It’s all turning rather ugly, but one taxi driver says that the vitriol and vigilante action against the TNCs may be misdirected, and that perhaps the reason for the impact against taxi drivers’ livelihoods isn’t Uber or GrabCar. Taxi driver Iwan Dani, who is an ardent paultan.org reader, posted the following commentary on the issue on his Facebook page, and he has generously given us permission to share his thoughts on the matter.

So, there it is, a different point of view of the whole affair from someone on the ground. What do you think of what has been said? Share your thoughts with us on the matter, as always.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • tohellwithplagiarism on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    Typical BN / UMNO cronies. Acting gangsters n such like their bosses n co like always n a lot of their ‘holy’ act to name more. Hail rosmah !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 52 Thumb down 4
    • Same L0rrrr on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:29 pm

      I always say,
      Proton won’t fall before government fall.
      Government won’t fall before you and me tax payers fall.
      They are all leech.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 5
      • Areyousure on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:17 pm

        We know who to blame now. (SPAD + UMNO cronies)

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
        • SPAD is the MAIN Problem on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:54 pm

          Actually, the big problem is SPAD. SPAD is allowing all this protest to go on. Why? Very simple.

          SPAD’s chairman Albar’s wife owns many teksi companies. When Uber and Grabcar came into Malaysia, her companies lost a lot of money and is losing a lot of money.

          So, SPAD, as any husband who is scared of his wife would do, quickly ban Uber and ban Grabcar.

          You see, in Malaysia, there is no such thing as CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

          SPAD is now closing an eye to all this violence because Albar’s wife is not happy with slow business.

          All these violence is approved by SPAD. Infact, it is indirectly sanctioned by SPAD.

          Don’t forget, besides Albar’s wife, ALL the licenses for companies running cabs are all owned by UMNO big boys.

          Nobody can touch them la

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 2
    • Gargantia on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:56 pm

      Post again here hope that Mr. Iwan can read this. Same case goes to my relatives just comeback for holiday… Just drop from Pavilion to Wisma Genting the taxi cost them “without meter as always” RM50 !!! When I heard from my mum I was shock “WoW” and I told them Pavilion have a bridge link to KLCC though Wisma Genting just 1 minute by walking… They’re more shock then me when they heard that !!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 1
      • Angkau on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:31 pm

        Try Midvalley to Lot 10 for RM70. Agreed on RM50 no meter, but halfway he suggested we use Smart tunnel and we agreed. Turned out that was a RM20 ‘upgrade’.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • gaviny on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    So why the hostility towards UBER and grabcar when you all know SPAD is behind all your hardship ? ???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 3
    • Kitcar on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:54 pm

      The hostile taxi thugs are the syndicate gangsters. The honest struggling taxi drivers are busy making a living while the gangsters can waste time calling up UBER/Grabcar drivers and hassling them.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 2
  • AKoNGz on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Maybe these honest taxi driver should get a normal Saga @ rm500/month instead and join the Uber/GrabCar program. By default, they should already own the public service license.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 78 Thumb down 0
    • Samseng Taxi on Oct 16, 2015 at 11:25 pm

      You must be joking???!!! I like to choose my destinations and choose customers. Best is airport all day. Grabcar and Uber rates are a joke. How can I make a living?Now tell me again why should I join Uber / Grabcar?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • dzulx on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    Thumbs up for this post and Iwan’s comment.. About time this issue to be tackled in such a holistic manner, targeting the whole supply chain, from authority right up to permit holder and the driver….

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 74 Thumb down 0
  • fuyoo this abang punya england very powderful.
    Teach me england please abang teksi!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 51
    • I wouldn’t be so quick to judge and make such condescending remarks. I have met malay cab drivers who spoke the Queen’s English fluently.. especially the older ones who studied back when there were still english-medium public schools. I’ve also met younger Malay cab drivers who study English in their part time and have been keen to practice their skills with customers.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 84 Thumb down 1
    • bodoh soup on Oct 16, 2015 at 11:50 pm

      Many fresh grads are jobless in this bad economy and some become taxi drivers to survive. So you memang bodoh if you think abang teksi cannot speak good english

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • what kind of mentality you have that you think taxi driver should speak good english? well, maybe you are jealous…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Annoynimouse on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    An eye-opener indeed… although we shouldn’t be surprised.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
  • rally_fan (Member) on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    if i could be allowed to suggest a conspiracy theory… these “rogue” taxi-drivers could be in cahoots with SPAD to maintain the status quo? ie..companies with hundreds of taxi permits….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 1
  • Bomoh on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    So now it is very clear that who rakyat enemy..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 1
  • FIST (Member) on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Thank you for sharing this valuable insight

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
  • Iwan, thanks for the insight. I’m a Myteksi user frequenting Bukit Bintang on my monthly trips to KL. I’ve met my fair share of awesome taxi drivers from the app, and downright horrid ones all over BB. Hence I’m not surprised that these hooligan-isms are largely confined to these areas (and nor should anyone who had tried to grab a ride from there), and understand that they don’t speak for the masses. So I’m still doing my part in encouraging and supporting the use of licensed taxis, the tricky bit is finding the good ones.

    Fight the good fight bro!

    (Ps: Maybe leave us a number and your call location, would be cool to look you up if we ever need a ride from a sane driver in your area :))

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 66 Thumb down 0
  • xoxox on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    Good Job! expose the real cause for this uber/grab car issues. the most concern is the leeching case, RM1000/taxi to cronies is totally unacceptable!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 1
  • Based on customers experience, I would say this a fake statement. Main statement being debunked is that majority is using meter, when everybody knows taxis dun use it.

    A shallow attempt by some wannabe politician to divert blame from taximen to Gov. Both should share the blame, not just push it to Gov cuz it is convenient punching bag right now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 82
  • Shaekey on Oct 15, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Taxi drivers getting out of hands?

    https://twitter.com/MateValtr/status/654185275787051008

    I for one has never used Uber or other similar services but I do only use taxi using myteksi app. Never had any problem with these taxi drivers and they always use meter. They also use waze and give me option on the kind of route I would like to take. Myteksi is definitely the way to go, never for me to hail taxi on the street.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
    • ai like on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      i would agree. but will be same as grabcar and uber. all are registered qualified drivers, we even have their IC/etc and all to ensure our safety.

      the only the dont have is spad permit. hell what do we need it for? only for government.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Lew CN on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    Root Cause: A Failed Government

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • letstorque on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    I had ex-classmate who.work as taxi driver now. He had a degree in IT. Twinning program with UK Uni.

    Maybe your qualification are lower than him.

    But now it is hard to find work. There are many uni-grad who work what ever job they can find.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • Son of Taxi Driver on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    It is true, try applying for a taxi permit, you have 98% chances of SPAD rejecting it.

    Instead you have to go to all these cronies company and rent their permit on daily basis.Last time it was like RM38~RM45/day. Imagine taxi drivers have to get at least RM100/day just to take home like RM20 ( less rental&petrol/gas).

    If SPAD make it easier for deserving people to have their permits, i’m sure taxi drivers will have a better life and couldnt be bothered with UBER or GRABCAR. SPAD and taxi companies are the culprit.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • Jason ang on Oct 15, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    The story doesn’t aligned with the fact that taxi driver actually ambush grabcar/ uber drivers. If spad is the reason, why taxi driver ambush grabcar/ uber drivers?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • KC Ng on Oct 16, 2015 at 10:11 am

      Because they can’t fight the government, hence they find the smaller fish to bully, human nature

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Dzulx on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    To Paultan, perhaps a scoop is appropriate to investigate the real cost of a taxi driver, including rental to permit holders?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • syed ismat on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Just hope this whistle blower will not
    be arrested under Sosma for trying to topple
    SPAD.
    Worst still shoot the messenger/ have his license revoked for speaking against his master.
    Take care Iwan & salute u for having the guts to
    speak your mind

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Troll on Oct 16, 2015 at 5:29 am

    If i add a bit of salt, this piece might have been written by uber/grabcar’s marketing team.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Sohai taxi on Oct 16, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    Stupid , then why u all go smack uber driver car ? Go smack spad car la if you dare , brainless taxi driver with gangster attitude , boycott !!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • the stupid person is u for assuming that all taxi drivers fall under the category of ” brainless taxi driver with gangster attitude”.

      as someone else already said, Because they can’t fight the government, hence they find the smaller fish to bully, human nature

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Chris Saigal on Oct 22, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    Truly spoken, En.Iwan.My two cents worth….
    SPAD’s objective was the the transformation of the public service vehicle industry and the its poor image beginning with the Taxi service
    Yet they could not get the ugly,horrendous Metro buses off the road as of date
    Why??? because it is owned by one minister and or his wife or their relative(s)
    Now you do the Math?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Chris Saigal on Oct 22, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    Truly spoken,
    My two cents worth….
    SPAD’s objective was the the transformation of the public service vehicle industry and the its poor image beginning with the Taxi service
    Yet they could not get the ugly,horrendous Metro buses off the road as of date
    Why??? because it is owned by one minister and or his wife or their relative(s)
    Now you do the Math?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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