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Move To Improve Taxi Services
By Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei is gearing towards a smoother system of taxi services that is hoped to improve the public transport sector, in particular the standard of taxi services in the country.

A meeting (or muzakarah) regarding opening of taxi services by 'open tender' through franchising was held between the Ministry of Communications and Department of Land Transport.

The meeting was chaired by Haji Alaihuddin bin Pehin Dato Seri Utama Hj Awang MohamadTaha, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications. It was attended by senior officers at the Ministry of Communications and Department of Land Transport, as well as members of the taxi association in the country.

The franchise taxi is aimed at making taxi services in the country more structured, thus helping the development of public transport in the country and facilitating the tourism industry.

At the meeting, taxi operators were given options including setting up their own taxi companies and participating in 'fleet' taxi franchise.

However, there are some concerns among taxi operators on the plan to introduce fleet taxi operation through taxi franchising as a few operators told the Bulletin that the move might bring more woes to their already difficult business.

There have been complaints from people who use taxis, particularly tourists, that there are not enough taxis to take them around in commercial areas.

Virtually all licensed taxis in Brunei do not use metering, go by zones, and the fares are high compared to the going rates in other countries in the region.

The number of licensed operators in Brunei has dwindled in the face of competition in a relatively small market with high costs. For years, licensed taxi operators have faced competition from illegal taxis, known as 'Taxi Sapu', and the popularity of car rental firms have also cut into their business.

"The cost to be a licensed operator is high, you need to service your car every six months, you need a Class 12 licence etc. We don't even know if 'Taxi Sapu' have Class three licence, let alone service their cars every six months," said a taxi owner.

Taxi operators also feel less motivated to actively go around for customers and thus end up waiting for potential passengers in only certain commercial areas and the airport. The extra expense of going around looking for customers puts a big hole in their pockets.

"The problem in this country is not because we do not have enough taxis, but there is a natural problem we face in Brunei as we are a small country. There are not many passengers to go around for everybody, so our numbers have dwindled," said another taxi owner.

"The cost of maintaining our vehicles does not justify the fares if we are to charge customers at rates competitive with other countries," he added.

Most of the taxi operators are also not willing to join any fleet franchise as it would take away their freedom and do not want to be bound by any fleet rules or regulation. In addition, they argue that they still owe the banks towards the hire purchase of their vehicles.

They also want to know whether a new franchise taxi operator will be willing to take some of their old taxis on board if they are to join their fleet. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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