Taxi drivers have clarified that the demonstration they held in Kaula Lumpur’s busy shopping district of Bukit Bintang last Wednesday was not against the free 'GoKL' buses.

They claimed it was to protest against inconsistent enforcement against taxi drivers waiting for passengers in the pick-up lane outside the Pavillion Mall.

“There is a yellow lane at the side of the road for us to queue up and wait for the customers but the authorities keep harassing us for waiting there,” taxi driver Guna Segaran, 34 ( right ), told Malaysiakini yesterday.

He said the taxis have been queuing for passengers at the pick-up lane for many years but they have recently been issued verbal warnings and fines by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).

When contacted, Bukit Bintang taxi association chief Mohamed Ashraf Yasin confirmed this.

The Rakyat Post last week reported that taxi drivers disrupted traffic for three hours to protest the GoKL buses, which provide free service between Pasar Seni, KLCC and Bukit Bintang.

Spad is reportedly said to be taking stern action against the taxi drivers who had taken part in the protest.

Although the group claimed it did not demonstrate against the 'GoKL' buses last Wednesday, it did protest against the the free bus service in its only other demonstration held in 2012.

No more harassment

Meanwhile, another taxi driver, who only wanted to be known as Kumaran, 29, told Malaysiakini that the drivers were frustrated with the contradictory orders from Spad and JPJ.

“At first Spad told us that it was okay for us to wait at the yellow lane but JPJ said differently,” Kumaran said.

He also accused the authorities of “double standard”, saying that some taxis across the street were not harassed by the authorities for parking at the roadside.

“It would be difficult for us if we are to constantly wander around the area in search for customers. We will be stuck in traffic jams and there will be no place for us to do pick-ups,” Kumaran said in defending the right of the drivers to park at the lane painted with the word “Teksi”.

“But after the protest, we are now allowed to park our taxis here.”

Wong, 60, who has been a taxi driver for 25 years said it was difficult for taxi drivers to eke a living.

“We have to rent the taxi for RM50 a day and spend a considerable amount on petrol but only manage to earn about RM100 a day,” he said.

Nazri Mohd, 40, a father of two, said his normal earnings were “just enough” for the family’s daily expenses.