The ticket touts at the Larkin and Pudu
bus stations highlighted by a letter
to the editor is symptomatic of our enforcement capabilities. The
laws are there but where is the enforcement? In this case, the writer
also mentioned that a Land Public Transport Commission patrol car was
nearby but the touts were not in the least perturbed. I guess the
writer would be blamed for not reporting to the officers on duty
concerning the touts menace.
One interesting point is that the touts
are not bothered at all by the presence of the officers. In that
sense they are so brazen and still continue with their daily routine.
It just shows how effective the presence of the authorities are to
those who flaunt the law. Most probably the gains from what they do
is so profitable that even if they are apprehended they will be able
to recoup their losses after paying the fines.
The passengers will of course be
approached by the touts when they enter the area especially those who
are not familiar with how to get the tickets. Passengers want a good,
fast and efficient service so the touts know they have willing
customers. It does seem touts are a normal presence at transport hubs
in the country. The public has in a way accepted the fact that touts
will always be there. We may recall that there are even touts at the
Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
It is such a shame that the laws are in
the statutes but will remain just in the books to be read by the
students as an academic interest. It might even be prudent to repeal
the by-laws regarding the touts and make them a legitimate
profession. At least the government can tax them and the money can be
used to maintain a better system for our transport hubs.
Image from travelfish
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