The most common scams are :. Using a tampered meter, taking imprudent for an unnecessarily long ride, and do not use the meter and charge exorbitant rates
Moreover, the Indonesian word for taximeter is argo , which was the trademark of those used in the first metered taxis in Jakarta in the 1970s a German defunct company made the Argo meters, which were named after the ship sailed amazingly fast by Jason and the Argonauts in Greek mythology. So now you know.
If a driver fails to activate the counter after entering your destination, you should avoid saying, as I once heard an American angry cry: " Buka meters you "instead, opt for the more polished and linguistically correct:". Tolong pakai argo, is Pak [Please use the meter, sir] "Should the driver ignore such a request three times, check that is not deaf politely and then exit the cabin. If there is flooding and there is no other taxis around, you might have to haggle.
ThereTen years, arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International airport without someone pick you meant you were to thank you from the taxi mafia unless you took a bus Damri. cabins Known as Bluebird, are not allowed to take passengers from arrivals or departures same. instead, airport guards heading to the worst taxis in the city. Finally, someone realized it was stupid to give newcomers as a bad first impression. The airport is now served by decent taxi companies, although some touts remain.
Some sites claim the worst thing you can do in a taxi to get solo when blind drunk, because you might fall asleep and be robbed. In my younger and more vulnerable years, I must have passed in dozens of taxis, but I was never stolen and rarely taken for a ride. Usually a patient driver would just wait until I wake up.
Taxis in Jakarta to avoid are those painted to mimic Bluebird Express and cabins. They are usually easy to recognize because they are old and have older meters to the research, which tend to run too fast. While initially a place of dishonorable nightlife, do not take one of the taxis parked outside unless the driver is a friend or you are prior agreement at a price. It is much easier to walk a short distance and hail a taxi voucher.
Once the driver starts, it can ask, " Lewat mana [Which way]" This could be an honest investigation, if two or more channels of similar distance to your destination. Or the driver can test your knowledge, and if you fail, you could be in for one lap. another possibility is that the driver is new in town and just do not know the road. most drivers are honest and friendly, and some can teach you the shortcuts.
being stuck in a taxi in traffic is a great opportunity to practice your Indonesian and gauge public opinion. I had pilots lecture me on the urgency of conversion to Islam, while others have offered to get drugs and prostitutes. Some pilots make changes 20 hours, so that the conversation can help keep alert .
Beware if a driver suddenly stopped in the wrong place - there is a small chance he may be waiting accomplices from entering the taxi to rob you, especially if you have been taken into charge outside an upscale mall. I remember a driver who has been arrested several times - to go out and urinate. He said a passenger had paid him in sex and later, he developed a burning sensation when urinating. I advised him to go to a pharmacy and bought a bunch of generic antibiotics.
Some of the most despicable behavior comes taxis passengers. If you speak Indonesian enough, ask drivers about their worst ever customer and the results should be interesting. Occasionally, drivers getting scammed, paid or counterfeit foreign currency nearly worthless, be robbed or be left waiting for a passenger who did a runner.
Avoid arguments about the correct change by tilting well for good service. Bluebird pays its drivers at least 10% of their daily income, while many companies require drivers to pay a daily rental amount to Rp.350,000, after which they keep what they earn.