KAJANG: It was end of the road for 10 reckless taxi drivers at the KTM Komuter station here when they were caught flouting the law by officers from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and the police this evening.
Eight taxis were seized in the crackdown, which lasted for two hours.
“We took action based on complaints made by the public. They said the taxis in this area refused to use meter,” SPAD enforcement division chief Datuk Paduka Che Hasni Che Ahmad told reporters. “We caught six taxi drivers who refused to use meter and three others who did not display their taxi driver card.”
Only one taxi tout was caught while trying to solicit business in the high traffic area.
“We believe there are more,” said Hasni.
The illegal taxi driver will be charged under Section 205 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010, for soliciting and touting and if found guilty, he could be fined up to RM50,000 or face five years imprisonment, or both.
As for the taxi drivers who refused to use meter, they will be charged under Section 22 and 23 of the Land Public Transport Act. If found guilty, they could be fined up to RM500,000 or face two years imprisonment, or both.
Advising all taxi drivers to play by the rules, Hasni said their bad behaviour will only make more people switch to sharing-riding apps.
“Please do not cheat your passengers. They will lose faith in all taxi drivers and switch to Uber or GrabCar,” he said.