JOHOR BARU, Malaysia: Print the receipts or risk having your taxi permits revoked.

That is the warning by Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board chairman Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique to taxi drivers who refuse to produce receipts after passengers had paid the fares.

She said the measure, which will take effect on Jan 1, was an effort to rehabilitate the nation's public transport system, especially taxi services which had, for quite sometime, been criticised by foreign tourists.

Halimah said there should be no excuse among taxi drivers for not producing receipts for passengers.

She added that the problem began when the previous fare, which was RM2 for the first kilometre, was deemed too low.

"However, in August, the government, in the interest of the taxi drivers' welfare, increased the fare and now there should be no reason for them to be unethical in carrying out their services," said Halimah after presenting Hari Raya Aidiladha sacrificial meat to the people of the Tenggara parliamentary constituency at Felda Sungai Sibol yesterday.

The fare has since been revised to RM3 for the first kilometre, 50 per cent more on the total fare if it was after midnight and an additional RM2 if taxis were booked through the telephone.

Halimah added about 90 per cent of taxi drivers nationwide had calibrated their meters and had installed receipt printers so that they could start charging the new fares.

She reminded that the deadline for meter calibration for the new fares is Dec 31.

She added that those who failed to meet the deadline would have their taxi permits suspended.

"However, for taxi drivers in Penang, the deadline is extended to June 30 next year since the current printers used by them were not compatible with the meters.

"They need an upgrade which can cost up to RM350."

Halimah also said taxi companies should ensure their drivers adhere to the rules at all times.

"If a driver has been found constantly flouting the law, he should be dismissed and a law abiding driver should be hired."

Meanwhile, on the 3,000 taxi permits that will be offered as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his 100th day in the office, Halimah said about 5,000 applications have been received.

"The deadline (to apply for the permit) is the end of next month. Status of the applications would be known at the latest by the third week of January. However, we are giving priority to applicants who are single mothers so that they can get involved in this business."