Visitors to Penang quickly realise that taxis here do not operate the same way as back home. Unlike in bigger cities, in Penang the taxis still do not use the meter (despite all the efforts by the government to get them to). Taxis charge a fixed amount which is likely to be uniform across different companies. When booking a taxi, you need to ask about this.
Taxi stands are not as common as bus stops in Pulau Pinang. Also, taxis are not as ubiquitous on the streets in Pulau Pinang than they are in other major cities.
Georgetown Taxi: 04-2299467, 04-2617098
BJ Radio Taxi: 04-6430161 & 012 572 6487
Taxi Drivers Association: 04-2625721
Sunshine Radio Taxi: 04-6425961
Jade Auto Company: 04-2263015
Bayview Taxi Stand:
Super Radio Taxi Service Center: 04-281-8766, 282-8753
Individual Taxi Driver Contacts
Vincent Yeap: 012 -531 3250 or 017 - 4628 622, recommended by Colleen
There is an airport limousine service (that's a glorified way to call an airport taxi). You buy a coupon at the arrival level, then go outside to take the limo that is queuing up for passengers. Pass the coupon to the driver and tell him where exactly you are going. The fare is as follows:
Despite repeated calls from the government and various quarters, the taxis in Pulau Pinang still do not use the meter. Hence, you need to do some negotiation with the driver before climbing on board. What the taxis do is determine a fixed rate for most journeys. Most taxi drivers agree to honor this rate. Hence even if you ask a few taxis, you are likely to be given the same price which they have agreed among themselves. What is that fixed rate? Ah, that is for them to know and for us to find out. But people who are familiar with taking taxis in Pulau Pinang will soon be familiar with it. Also, the rate tends to be quite uniform among the different taxi companies.
As taxi rides can be much more expensive than taking the bus, you should carefully evaluate the options before calling the taxi. On the other hand, taxis provide the convenience of traveling from point to point, and for transporting of luggage. What's the minimum price? It used to be RM4.00, but not really sure now, considering the meter's been thrown out the window.
The following are fare estimations contributed by feedback from members who wrote to me:
Acknowledgement
I wish to thank Loh Chee Kuang, Poay Kuan, HT Khor, Colleen Dunk, SB, Kamarul Syahril Kamal, Ewe Hean, PC Ong, Jennifer De Vries, Calvin Yeo, Michelle Loh, Pay Fern, Laura Joseph, Rani, Lucy Friedland, Peky for information on this page.
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