I took the wrong cab today. Let's not go into the 'you should have known'. I went straight for the 'right' cab (the ones with no frills), and both refused to take me and told me to go to the one that's first in the queue. It was a Perdana - the wrong cab.
After a short argument with the other cabbies, I went to the Perdana and told him where I wanted to go. I was expecting some warning about how expensive it was going to be, having been warned by previous luxury cabbies. No such warning came. Instead, the driver said he'd use the meter. I said ok.
The ride was hellish. The man has an ego the size of the Twin Towers. He was looking down at lesser cabs, the predicament of other cab drivers ("Teksi saya ikut arahan penumpang, sebab kita teksi mewah. Teksi lain tak ada power steering.. bla bla bla"). He continued by pointing out other Perdanas on the road. He also took the opportunity to show off the many features of his Perdana, including what he calls a walkie talkie, which he claims he uses to find the best routes around KL (nevermind that other cabs have those things too).
Oh... and he insisted on repeating my directions (which was given in Malay) in English.
I was getting very irritated.
The road was clear, thank God. As we approached my apartment, he had the cheek to say, "Ni tempat orang kaya. Simpanlah duit sikit dik". Of course, I was too irritated to bother with that comment. I just wanted to get out of there.
When we got to the lobby, the meter was at RM29 (exhorbitant for what is usually a RM5 cab ride). I commented on how expensive it was (I realised it was futile, but I had do so something!). He kept on bragging about how I had the honour of riding in his Perdana. Plus, he said, "ikut queue".
It was my mistake for getting into the cab. But hey, I didn't expect for the other cabbies to gang up on me and refuse to take me on the basis of queueing ethics, even after I had stated that I didn't want to use that cab. I also didn't expect the guy to not explain that he used a meter that runs on light speed.
Again, it was my mistake. And I usually don't mind paying a bit extra - I usually round up my fare especially to nice cab drivers, or the ones who drive carefully. But paying RM29 (the equivalent to half a week's transport costs) for my mistake, to someone so pompous and arrogant, adds salt to the wound.
Arrrgh!
Sidenote: The name of the cab company is Premier. Very Premier prices too...
Posted by Najah Nasseri at 2004年05月10日 19:41 | TrackBacknajah, you should have been warned. perdana cabs charge 5 to 6 ringgit for every 1 ringgit normal cabbies do. premier meter speed... :D
Posted by: pickyin at 2004年05月10日 20:11i kena this also before. should have blogged and let everyone knows how ripped off and 'cekik darah' this is. thanks for posting this so that more people are better informed before making the decision to get into those yellow perdana cabs.
Posted by: haxa at 2004年05月10日 23:18“Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, (Surat al-Baqara, 2:155)
:)
Posted by: faren at 2004年05月11日 00:52at least he used the meter. at a rather expensive rate though.
Posted by: HansW at 2004年05月11日 09:02The 3rd paragraph cracked me up...ROTL...I was actually amused, the driver has such pride in his prestige car...
But RM29?!! I never knew that any taxy charged that amount. The fare from Suria to Kelana Jaya, in one of the more modest cab, is only about RM22++
Although in this case they'd argue that they're not ripping you off as they're actually using the meter - even though it's configured to be at speed of light!
Okay, I've already warned some of my colleagues...Thanks for this post!!!
"Ni tempat orang kaya. Simpanlah duit sikit dik".
Wow. I think he was trying to give you your money's worth. RM29 for a cab ride and the guy throws in some fatherly-advice for good measure! Sounds like a good deal. Hehhehhe!!!
Posted by: james at 2004年05月11日 12:48My sympathies, girl...My worst cab rides usually has to do with the drivers yakking too much or scarily resembling a closet sex weirdo...
But RM29 for the ride sounds almost as bad.
Sounds like you gotta cut back on the Chocolate drinks this week...:-)
Posted by: Zsarina at 2004年05月11日 13:49I can write a long study on
1.why the cabbies charge you such an exorbitant rate.
2.what should be done to eliminate or reduce this problem.
3. who should be responsible enforcing the public transportation law.
but before I waste my time writing about it, I have just one simple question...that is,
1.is the present enforcer aware of what is going on?
2.What are they doing about it? looking for improvement? solutions? or doing nothing?
Conclusion for my preliminary...
if the people that are entrusted and paid a salary didn't do their parts what else can be expected? A decaying system that is already rot.
And Najah I don't want to sound sarcastic to you but I could not agree more with what the cabbies said "Ni tempat orang kaya. Simpanlah duit sikit dik". It just that he didn't finish his sentence with "Nasib baik saya tak rogol awak!". He want you to be grateful because he think at least he is nicer compared to other cabbies that he tought is a lot worst than him.
What else can I say ?
welcome to my world, najah =)
i have to take them everytime.
truthfully, these guys want a higher starting rate (the 2ringgit thing been on for too long) - i used to think they are only greedy; but once i met a driver who told me the the monthly tanggung he has to pay (car/taxes/permit); after all the after midnight money, he still brings home a sad sum.
that guy, is probably one of the few honest ppl who showd me what its like to be in his shoes.
then again, it is not untrue that there are those who enjoy charging a little more. I wldnt mind the little more, only if his service/ride has been worth it.
Posted by: Mj at 2004年05月15日 23:51hotcili60/James: The tempat orang kaya reference is always relative, depending on who's looking.
Yes, I'm always grateful when taxi drivers deliver me home safely.
Marilyn: I can imagine! I couldn't agree w you more. Like I mentioned before, I don't mind paying more, but 1) the perdana rates are just ridiculous (not that I was in a limo or something) and 2) the guy was putting down his peers, showing off his car bla bla bla.. overall being a pain lah...
Posted by: Najah at 2004年05月16日 00:00Sigh, men...
Just remember to keep a bottle of pepper spray and get ready the nearest police station's number in your mobile when you get on a cab. (note: 999 is an unanswered ringing number)
Posted by: darren at 2004年05月16日 00:56if u want to know more about Perdana Premier Taxi U call me actually iit is a little bit cheaper than a ECO TAXI
Normal Taxi Start fr RM2 + 10cts+++++
Perdana Premier Taxi Start fr RM3 + 20cts++++
ECO Taxi Start Fr RM4 + 20cts++++++++++