GEORGE TOWN, March 4 2015:
Beginning this month, a taxi ride anywhere around Penang Island will cost a flat rate of only RM5, thanks to MyTeksi. This offer is part of MyTeksi’s plan to promote its reliable service to the people in Penang, especially tourists.
MyTeksi is a smartphone-based taxi booking and dispatching service.
MyTeksi city manager Loh Ji Yuan stated that Taxi drivers in Penang have a very bad reputation among the public for overcharging and refusing to operate using the meter for years. He hope that this initiative would combat such negative perception and bring back the faith of the public.
According to Loh, MyTeksi saw a significant 900% increase in bookings since its launch in April last year.
The RM5 flat rate promotion will be available only for bookings made through the MyTeksi app and will be ongoing for 24 hours a day. However, the offer is only applicable to the island part of the state and not the mainland half.
Loh said MyTeksi not only provided cheaper rides but passengers would be able to know the cost of a ride as the total price, calculated on the distance, will be shown when they book through the app.
“This will solve all problems of having to haggle for a reasonable price whenever a passenger takes a cab”, Loh said.
Safety is one of the app key features as it allows the passenger to know who their drivers are in detail. Passengers will also be able to share their rides booked within the app to their friends and relatives.
In Penang, about 1,000 taxies are operating under MyTeksi out of the total of about 3,000 registered taxies.
This offer lasts until the end of the month.