KL cabbies the world’s worst, says UK website

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian taxi drivers are gaining international recognition – or rather, infamy – for their bad attitude.

British taxi comparison site LondonCabs.co.uk has placed Kuala Lumpur taxi drivers at the top of a list that compares the 10 worst taxi drivers across the globe.

“Drivers from Kuala Lumpur are well known for overcharging clients and detouring.

“Even though they are supposed to charge by the meter, many drivers refuse to do so,” said LondonCabs.

“The best advice is to simply wait for another vehicle if the driver resists using the meter,” it said.

The article further described taxis in Kuala Lumpur as “rather old and in poor condition”.

Rome’s taxi drivers came in second for their exorbitant rates and rudeness.

“Most people cannot even find a vehicle available in Rome. Cars are scarce and the drivers are often rude and difficult to deal with,” said LondonCabs.

“If it’s raining, expect to pay double or triple the price for a vehicle in Rome,” it added.

Bangkok minicab drivers took third place for drivers getting lost and not knowing the way.

Other cities that made the list were Paris, New York, Mumbai, Zurich, Cairo, Shanghai and Moscow.

LondonCabs said the 10 places listed had taxis that “you may be better off avoiding if you want to have a positive and uplifting transportation experience”.

Malaysians on Facebook agreed with the article, saying that cabs in the country were in a poor state.

“I agree and they are even worse than what has been reported. Only a minority and few are good taxi drivers,” commented L. Ah Huat.

Another Facebook user, Sweezy Hirano, said: “Looking for good cabbies in KL is simply like finding needle in haystacks ... good cabbies are like endangered species already.”

“Not only worst by ranking but very kurang ajar (rude) too!!” said Gurmeet Singh.