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The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is set to propose an amendment to the Land Public Transport Act 2010 to regulate ticketing counters for taxi services, theSun reports. The move follows complaints by the public on counters who charge a RM2 service fee but fail to provide any noticeable service.

"Over the years, many have complained that they cannot see why there is a need for a surcharge in addition to a meter charge, when there is no visible service before boarding the cab," commented SPAD CEO, Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal. "With the amendment to the Act, if there are some counters which do not [serve] well, we can kick them out . We need to regulate and set the standard and level of service," he added.

This is especially true when it comes to ticketing counters at private premises such as hotels and shopping malls - as these establishments are not regulated, there is no clear outline on the required level of service. "Now, we are also taking steps to regulate any ticketing counter that offer public transport services, including taxis and express buses," he said.

He went on to stress that private establishments with higher passenger traffic should appoint a queue manager of some sort to maintain order amongst those lining up for a taxi as well as to safeguard the interest of the passengers - all this should be present with or without the RM2 service fee.

"When cabbies don't follow rules by harassing passengers or refuse to use the meters, that's when private building owners decide to setup a counter for record management or tracking purpose," he concluded.