Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has in recent weeks taken to the social media to get feedback for Budget 2016, but not everyone can have their voices heard in cyberspace.

This is particularly true for taxi drivers, for many of whom the Internet is not what they would consider their usual hangout place.

Malaysiakini hit the streets to find out what are on the minds of taxi drivers in the Klang Valley.

The scarcity of Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) pumps, the need for more individual tax permits, subsidy cards and also the revival of tyre subsidies are some of their concerns.

Ramli Mohamed, 74, asked that the subsidy for tyres offered by the government two years ago be revived.

"We have a lot of other things to take care of, like GST and the rental for our taxis.

"Don't only give us subsidies during elections. It has been more than two years. Please bring them back," Ramli said.

The tyre subsidy policy was announced in 2012, one year before the 2013 general election and was not continued in subsequent years.

End dependence on taxi companies

Meanwhile, Raja Mansor Raja Ahmad, also 74, pointed out that driving a taxi can be costly.

Raja Mansor said to get started as a taxi driver, a whopping RM15,000 upfront payment was needed and some form of government assistance would be helpful.

"We need a subsidy to start with, and then we can pay the rental company monthly," he said.

Raja Mansor ( photo ) also proposed increasing the number of NGV pumps in Kuala Lumpur, with his fellow taxi drivers present nodding in agreement.

Others spoke about how the monopoly of taxi permits by big taxi companies was giving taxi drivers a hard time.

"I want a permit of my own, and some leniency from the government towards drivers who have been in service for 10 years or more," said Mohd Sabar Miskan, 52.

"I do not want to depend on taxi companies, because we have to pay rental and that is expensive," Sabar said.

He added that he was also concerned about the planned hike of the natural gas price later this month.

"The government also wants to increase the price of NGV gas from RM0.68 to RM1.05 a litre.

"We use 20 litres a day. Imagine how much of a burden that would be to us if the price does not stay at RM0.68, which is reasonable," he said.

The planned increase was decided in May, in exchange for allowing a taxi fare hike.

‘Locals using tourist free rides’

Musa Las, 53, took issue with supposed free bus services for tourists that have turned into regular rides for locals, such as the GoKL service that starts early morning.

"The government says that the buses are for tourists, but do tourists wake up at 6am?

"Of course not, they wake up at 10am. People who go to work and earn RM7,000 a month do not need free bus rides," he Musa ( photo ) said.

He added that mobile application-based ferrying services are also hurting taxi drivers and wants the government to regulate them.

He also suggested that the government creates a Touch 'n Go-like subsidy card, specially for taxis, to allow them to pay discounted rates for tolls.

"We used to pay cash for tolls, and that was half price. Maintain that discount with the Touch 'n Go cards for us."

The Prime Minister's Office has set up a microsite accepting suggestions for what should be included in next year's budget, which will be open until Sept 15.