SIBU: The Sibu Bumiputera Taxi Owners’ Association yesterday urged the authorities to urgently clamp down on the rampant activities of pirated taxis.
Speaking to reporters after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ‘Persatuan Pemilik Teksi Bumiputera Bersatu Sibu’ here yesterday, its chairman Collin Tinting bemoaned that their members’ livelihood had been badly affected.
“Our members have complained to us that they are at their wit’s end as these illegal operators are openly luring away passengers.
“The more daring ones would even accost the public, pointedly asking if they need taxi service,” Collin lamented.
He urged the public to be aware of the risks when utilising the services of pirated taxis.
He pointed out that passengers would be at the mercy of such operators, who may charge on their own whim and fancy.
“On the contrary, properly licensed taxi operators need to toe the line of the standardised rate.”
He mentioned that passengers of a pirate taxi were not insured in the event of a mishap.
The road worthiness of the vehicles of pirated taxi operators was also questionable.
“As for us, we are required to send our vehicles for regular inspection to keep it in tip-top conditions,” Collin added.
The association has 29 members and is among four taxi associations operating here.
The others are Sibu Taxi Owners’ Association, ‘Persatuan Taxi Bahagian Sibu’ and ‘Persatuan Taxi Sibu’.
Meanwhile, the association appreciated the government’s efforts in assisting them with the facelift of their station at the former Palace Theatre in Market Road here.
“The new facelift will boost customers’ confidence and entice them to check out our service. Other taxi stations have done so and we need to keep pace in this highly competitive market,” Collin said.