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    26 June 2012| last updated at 11:29PM

    'Have single body for cabbies'



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    KUALA LUMPUR: Taxi drivers are thrilled that the government is looking into introducing a novel system to improve taxi services.

    Some suggested that all taxi drivers in the country be united under a responsible and established body.

    For taxi driver Mat Yatim Mat Lana, 70, the body would oversee their needs, ensure equality and standardisation for taxi drivers.

    "Now, we are governed by our respective taxi companies, so there are no standard operating procedures and there is no unity in terms of uniforms and cabs," Mat Yatim said yesyerday.

    Besides that, he said they would welcome it more if the government announced a financial scheme equivalent to the Social Security Organisation or Employees Provident Fund.

    "We need financial security for our family, as we are on the road all day.

    "It is the least that we should get," said Mat Yatim, who has been a taxi driver for more then 16 years.

    Suhaimi Harun, 42, a taxi driver from Kelantan, said the government should keep tabs on how many permits had been approved.

    "There are too many taxi drivers on the road these days, which will ultimately affect the traffic.

    "The situations is akin to having too many fishermen fishing from a small pond, as everyone will be after the same pool of customers."

    Regular taxi passenger Shatish Kumar, 21, admitted his dissatisfaction towards drivers who refused to use the meters during peak hours.

    "The drivers always refuse to put on the meters and claim that the price will be more, and they simply charge to their whims."

    Speaking on the rising crimes against women, Shatish said it would probably be a good idea to install closed-circuit television cameras in cabs.

    "The footage will help to solve crime cases involving cabbies, and female passengers will be at ease knowing that the camera will help to curb crime from happening," he added.

    Suhaimi Harun, 42, says the government should keep tabs on the number of permits issued to taxi drivers as there are too many taxis on the roads nowadays

    Mat Yatim Mat Lana, 70, proposes a financial scheme equivalent to the Social Security Organisation or Employees Provident Fund for cabbies

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