I'm on day 2 of a 4 day holiday in KL and realize every taxi driver has been ripping me off like crazy. Went from Jalan Ampang to Lot 10 and was charged 20 ringit, then realized I could have walked it in 5 minutes. Went to Batu caves from Bukit Bintang and negotiated 25 ringgit, but when we arrived, the driver insisted it was 35 - then he purposely pronounced "thirty" to sound like "twenty". On the way back, took a cab to lake gardens and insisted on using the meter... but the meter kept going up like crazy and it came to 45 ringgit. I'm getting really sick of this treatment since I need cabs to go around. I work in China, which is much less developed and even taxi drivers there won't try to pull this rubbish. Very very frustrating.
Malaysia - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Use LRT or Monorail if possible, if not available then take bus. Standard price... all you need to do is ask, of course the right persons.
2 :
maybe if i go to china, the taxi driver there will rip off my wallet as well? you can ask for cheaper transport like buses and LRT maa... you simply2 take the taxi, anywhere you go, gonna be the same lorr... f@#k that taxi driver anyway.
3 :
It depends which hour you take the taxi. The taxi driver normally charges that way during peak hours (though they are not suppose to). While you cannot avoid drivers which have a problem with obeying rules, you can 1) try to protect yourself by taking down the numbers like the number plate, and the numbers available on the dashboard of the taxi you are taking, so you can report to the authorities should the taxi driver try to take any advantages of you. 2) check to see that the taxi driver charges according to the meter and insist on getting a receipt for your ride. (fair charges:http://malaysiabudgethotel.com/transportation/taxis.html) 3) check if you could use the trains (monorail,lrt,ktm) as i find those most promising. 4) since ur trip is only 4 days long.. i suggest you forget about the cab matter and shift your energy to other activities like enjoy the food or something =) , because really... it just really isn't worth it to get upset with brainless people like that. 5) you might want to read up on another article similar to your problem (http://wuhtevah.chitgoks.com/2009/05/30/taxi-drivers-in-malaysia/) and say geeee... taxis in malaysia are really a pain in the ar**. Having said all that, I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip in Malaysia. As a Malaysian, I am utterly disappointed and apologize on behalf of my fellow countrymen for such disgraceful attitude. I hope we will be able to serve you better on your next trip. =)
4 :
The taxis which ply the tourist/business hotels in the city centre are almost 100% corrupt. Actually once you get out of that area, the taxi drivers operate quite fairly on the whole. The situation is similar in Bangkok. Taxi drivers hanging around outside Sukhumvit hotels will NEVER put on the meter and will try to negotiate an "over the odds" fare. Although the real tourist rip-off in Bangkok is operated officially by the Airport Authority of Thailand, who run the "limousine" services either side of customs clearance in Suvanabhumi airport, and who will provide you with transport at 3-4 times the going taxi rate. Sorry I digressed. And I might add I've encountered avaricious taxi drivers around the world, including China.
5 :
There are buses, trains (KTM), LRT, monorail as alternative. Buses is the best option that should be able to take you to all all destinations. Else the combinations of taking taking few public transport will do. The only thing is you need to ask people around how to go. Even if you go by taxi, you can also first ask people around to get some idea about the fares then only negotiate with the taxi driver. Good luck.
6 :
Malaysian taxi.... probably the worst in the world...
