Be Smarter with Malaysian Taxis (edited)

Before I had my MyVi, I took public transport to work. Being in public practice, it was a great hassle to me, considering that my clients are everywhere from Cyberjaya to KLCC. Late working nights didn't help me either.

After two years of taking taxis to head home, I learnt a few things about Malaysian Taxis (especially KL ones).

Lesson 1: Some taxis cheat the meters
If the taxi driver press the aircond button: from on to off and on again, he/she is accelerating the meter. Some pressed the radio buttons the same way.

The buttons are linked to meter accelerators, usually located underneath the dashboard (if you are (un)lucky to see one). If you caught them using accelerators, it's your call to take the cab or not.

Lesson 2: Some taxis are cut throats
Never take idle taxis in front of KLCC bus stop. Always hail for those who are actually dropping customers. The touting ones will charge you RM10 from KLCC to Bukit Bintang. Worse still RM30 from KL to Damansara (metered fare is usually around RM15-RM17).

Foreigners get this treatment very often, so my advice to foreigners is try to blend into the local scenario as much as you can. Wearing baju melayu/kurung is a good idea. :D

Lesson 3: Some taxis just won't take you in
The worst time to catch a cab is during peak hours. During these times, taxi drivers are picky about where they are willing to go.

If you have been turned down by a few taxis, forget about getting one. Instead, take the LRT, commuter or bus or extend your shopping spree until peak hours are over. :)

Lesson 4: Some taxis are nice
If you like the taxi driver, get his/her number, especially useful if you are a regular. Call them when you need to go long distances such as the airport.

Lesson 5: Some taxis car pool
My advice is - get in at your own risk.

Back then, I didn't usually join the taxi pool unless I was desperate. Normally, I'd first see if the passengers looked like decent people. After I finally decided to get into one, I applied lesson no. 7 more rigourously.

Lesson 6: Kereta sewa are NOT the same as budget (red and white) taxis
Kereta sewa charges you higher, especially when you are desperate. They don't usually use meters.

Lesson 7: Finally, safety first
If you have no choice but take a cab late at night, call your parents/spouse/friends while you are GETTING INTO* or IN THE CAB*. Tell them the 3 digit taxi code and the taxi company name (e.g. Supercab, Sunlight, Saujana Taxi etc). The 3 digit taxi code is usually displayed on a windscreen sticker.

If the cab is not attached to any taxi company (i.e. individual taxis**), give details - name of the driver (displayed at front) and the plate number.

Why the 3 digit code? Taxi companies' phone operators do not track their taxi drivers using number plates. Instead they use the 3 digit code. If anything happened to you, God Forbid, it's easier for your parents/spouse/friends to find you because the operators are able to find out the driver details using the 3 digit code.

They can still find you using number plates, only that the process is slower as they can only check with admin during office hours.

*: Just so you can psycho the driver in case he/she was thinking anything funny.

**: Some individual taxis are attached to Supercab, Sunlight etc to get customers. They pay operator services rental every month. Check out for the sticker to be sure.

So there. I hope you'll beat the smarter taxis by being smarter yourselves. :)