46 cases of cabbies overcharging

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THE Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) has recorded 46 cases of taxi drivers overcharging their passengers so far, the Dewan Negara was informed yesterday.

Responding to a question by Senator Datuk Boon Som Inong on the action being taken against city cabbies who do not use their metres, deputy minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Ahmad Maslan, said the figure was part of the 1,823 offences committed by taxi drivers.

Ahmad said the offence was punishable by a fine of RM1,000 to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to two years or both, upon conviction under Section 22 (3) of the Public Land Transport Act 2010.

He added that the government was implementing several initiatives to improve the image of old, dirty and dilapidated public transport vehicles, in line with becoming a developed nation.

This year, RM150 million has been allocated to stage, school and mini bus operators to improve the quality of their vehicles and services, he said.

“The latest is the 1Malaysia People’s Taxi (TR1MA) programme on June 24 with the provision of tyre vouchers worth RM520 to 66,538 taxi drivers nationwide, costing RM35 million in total,” said Ahmad. — Bernama