NIBONG TEBAL – The Penang Road Transport Department (RTD) has detected swindling by a handful of e-hailing drivers, who take advantage of newly recovered Covid-19 patients, especially foreigners, leaving the quarantine centre in Jawi here.
Their modus operandi is to wait near the centre between noon and 12pm, when people are being discharged. These operators would approach victims, offering a ride.
Once someone agrees, their details, such as their destination, are taken down, and the driver pretends to key the information into their e-hailing company’s app, state RTD director Adenan Md Isa revealed at a press conference today.
By right, he said, passengers are the ones who need to book a ride first, without being persuaded.
“Most of the victims are foreigners, as they don’t know how to use these apps.
“And, the drivers usually add an extra RM20 to RM30 to the actual price.”
A special operation conducted over the last two days saw a total of 10 e-hailing drivers detained after getting caught in the act outside the Covid-19 quarantine and treatment centre at Jawi’s Mara Centre of Excellence.
Today, five drivers were detained for soliciting passengers and not using e-hailing apps.
“The proper procedure is for the passenger to request a ride through the app before it is accepted by the driver,” said Adenan.
He said the department has also received complaints on similar activities being carried out at vaccination centres.
“We are monitoring their activities. Our operations will continue from time to time.”
The drivers apprehended are being investigated under the Land Public Transport Act 2010, which carries a fine of between RM1,000 and RM5,000, or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both, upon conviction. – The Vibes, June 29, 2021
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