Time to regularise these taxi services

On Friday, January 18, my young friend and I took a taxi from the Methodist Church, Colpetty. My destination was Ratmalana, my friend’s destination was Dehiwela.

I did notice that the driver was breaking road rules, but said nothing. Before my friend was dropped at Dehiwela she gave the driver Rs 1000 and requested him to take me to Ratmalana. After my friend was dropped I noticed that the driver increased the volume of his radio. I requested him to reduce the volume, which he did. But he continued to chat with someone.

I gave him my destination, and also told him that I needed to buy my dinner. I got off to get the dinner, requesting him to wait for me. As I was the first customer I got my dinner in about five minutes. When I returned the taxi was gone! When he dropped me to get my dinner, I did notice that he did not turn into the parking space but stopped on the road and had the engine running.

I tried to contact some officer from this taxi service but failed to do so as there were only recordings. The fol- lowing morning I contacted Telecom and got the numbers. I dialled these numbers only to be answered by recordings.

I talked about this with some of my friends who related similar experiences.

For the last three years I have used another taxi service, which is known by an animal Down Under - they have never let me down. More importantly, they have a human voice that answers the phone.

It is time the authorities took action to draw up regulations to protect the drivers, passengers and other road users.

S.Wickramasinghe Via email