“Before we managed to lock the door, they started knocking on the auto and pulling the door handle on the driver’s side, which they eventually opened, and proceeded to snatch the driver’s vehicle keys and started yelling at him”, he said in an email interview last night.
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Taxi drivers have been reminded not to take the law into their own hands regarding “illegal” Uber and GrabCar drivers.
Taxi drivers have protested against Uber in June.
Uber’s general manager for Malaysia, Mr Leon Foong, said the company strongly condemned the threats and intimidation tactics now being directed at its drivers.
He added that the taxi drivers only backed down when police arrived and discussed the matter with both the cabbies and with Valtr.
The taxi drivers had followed them to the auto and began threatening the driver. “When I questioned the driver, he told me to find another taxi”, she said.
The newborn union is the latest twist in the Uber drama in France, where drivers of traditional taxi groups have loudly contested – and at times violently opposed – competition from inexperienced drivers who use the American firm’s software and competitive pricing schemes to poach clients.
“One big factor of not reporting was that I had my doubts that my complaint would have any effect as nobody was hurt in this case and there was very little tangible evidence of crime from the side of the taxi drivers”, he said.
Chong also noted that many of association members were linked up the MyTeksi application, adding that the mechanism had been helping taxi drivers improve their services to passengers.
After a bitter feud with taxi drivers and finding scant sympathy among authorities, the company decided in July to suspend its UberPop service in France.
“All transport operators, whether GrabCar, taxi operators or other public transport operators, should similarly strive to provide safe rides, trusted drivers and cars in good conditions for the benefits of commuters in Malaysia”, said the spokesman.
“These private cars are not regulated or controlled by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), which means their vehicles do not go through proper tests and they do not have insurance coverage for passengers”.
The driver escaped by smashing through the fence, hitting and injuring a security guard in the process.
He claimed the taxi drivers at KLCC caught seven cars this week, The Star reported.
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They also said it was unfair to allow drivers from ride-sharing services to pick up passengers as they had not been vetted and had no commercial licences.
