‘We reluctantly paid’ — Singapore senior citizens charged RM200 for 3.5-hour drive by Penang cab driver after agreeing to RM150 fare

A senior citizen asked for advice online after a taxi driver in Penang had reportedly charged him and four other seniors RM200 for a drive after the cabby had agreed to charge only RM150.

While the original time set was only for three hours, it took longer, but this was largely the cabby’s doing.

A Mr John Tan took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on Friday (Sept 30) to ask what senior citizens like him can do in situations such as these. 

He wrote that on Sept 27 (Tuesday), he and his friends had disembarked from a cruise ship in Penang.

They then went on to take a taxi at 11:00 am, with the driver agreeing to a fare set at RM150 for the party of five for three hours.

“Along the way the taxi driver drove to his own factory outlets to clock his own points for his tour company, despite we disagreed, and even used our time to go for his prayer.”

Presumably due to these delays, the party returned to the ship at 2:30 pm, half an hour past the agreed time limit.

“The taxi driver demanded to pay him RM 200/-. As there was a crowd we reluctantly paid.

What can we do as Sr. Citizen when we travel? Can anyone advice. Thanks,” Mr Tan added.

Many netizens obliged the senior with advice.

Some said that it would be best to book rides via Grab or other apps while in Malaysia.

A woman said that doing some research before travel is highly advisable.

Another woman said she has a “trusted lady driver” that she books in Penang.

Another netizen told his own similar, but much more horrifying story.

Some, however, just urged Mr Tan to count it as a loss and to keep in mind that their safety was of utmost importance.

One pointed out that the additional RM50 for the fare wasn’t too much when converted to Singapore dollars.

/TISG

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