Furore over new RM2 charge at KLIA

The payment of a facilitation fee to an entity that has been appointed as "taxi queue manager" at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has gotten airport taxi users hot under the collar.

A private company, Mesra Indah Jaya Sdn Bhd (MIJ), has been given the monopoly to sell taxi coupons at RM2 each, without which passengers cannot board metered taxis at the airport.

This is the second blow to passengers – the first being that a portion of their airport tax ends up in subsidies to the operators of Express Rail Link.

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) says the RM2 fee is legal and justified, but the manner in which the exercise was planned and implemented leaves much to be desired. No tenders were called and hence, the company is being accused of being a "rent-seeker".

In an email to theSun, SPAD's chief executive officer, Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal, says that MIJ ensures that taxis operate on a "first-in-first-out" basis.

Besides that, its marshals are "both at the queue and at the loading bay to ensure all taxi drivers queue up correctly and according to their turn".

MIJ directors are listed as Halim Shah Abdul Hamid, 32, and Roslina Taman, 42.

He said MIJ also ensures drivers are decently dressed and have valid documents (driving licence, PSV and driver's card), vehicles present are clean and in good condition, and that there is sufficient supply of taxis at all times.

But is it fair to make passengers pay for such a service, especially at KLIA?

Passengers question MIJ's authority to carry out checks on the licence of taxi drivers. They argue that only the Road Transport Department and the police are empowered to carry out such checks.

It was also emphasised that MIJ or its marshals cannot be given authority to carry out cleanliness tests on vehicles.

In the same e-mail, SPAD spelt out the "benefits" to passengers. According to Nur Ismal, the RM2 paid will provide passengers with a ticket which will also serve as proof of travel. This also facilitates a trace and track mechanism in the event of any payment dispute or in case items are lost or found.

But the question remains as to why passengers have to be subjected to this payment as benefits, if any, should go to the taxi drivers.

SPAD insists that MIJ has been appointed "interim queue manager" and that the RM2 fee is gazetted and allowed under current regulations.

- theSundaily