Jakarta: Superwhite versus Blue Bird Taxis

[Sammyboy RSS Feed]

An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

By Mr Goh Meng Seng:

https://www.facebook.com/gohmengseng.freedom?fref=nf

While in Jakarta, there are two main taxi companies in competition. One is all painted Blue called Blue Bird, the other is all painted Super White called Express. They are supposed to be the better governed ones with Blue Bird being owned by the wife of the Police Chief.

However, taxi drivers from both companies just like any other places, always try to cheat if they can. Thus I have learned something here.

It has nothing to do with being gracious or not. Nothing to do with brand loyalty or not. We just want good, honest and affordable service. Most of the time the taxi will try to cheat you, bring you round the city on longer route, even when it is already all jammed up. Regardless of whether you are gracious or not, you will kena cheat. Both Blue Bird and Super White taxis have similar problem but Blue Bird charges higher starting fare.

Anyway, the moral of the story, don't just trust branding but must be discerning and always do your homework, know your routes, area map and direction. When the drivers try to cheat or be funny, "slap"them hard! Question them, keep them in check and thus they will be kept honest. Don't take honesty for granted.


Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com.