Comments: Taxi users rap on abortive fare cut

March 13, p. 18   

Taxi users in the capital have given mixed reactions to the decision made by the city's Transportation Agency and related transportation institutions to not reduce cab fares along with bus fares following fuel price cuts, but demanded taxi operators improve their services. "If the fares of other public transportation have been lowered after the fuel price cuts, why do cab fares remain the same?" Aryani, who takes a taxi to work every day, said. "This is a bit unfair. When the fuel prices rose, they *taxi operators* quickly increased fares, but when the fuel prices went down, they were reluctant to cut the fares. They should have also considered their customers' interests."

Your comments:

I think it is alright not to reduce taxi fares, but I agree that taxi operators should improve their services. There are many rude taxi drivers around. People who usually take a taxi can afford to pay the fare, but I think it is unfair to pay for more than what is shown on the meter, especially if the service is bad. Some taxi drivers even refuse to use the meter. There are also drivers who complain a lot. I have also encountered taxi drivers who smell bad. It's awful! You take a taxi to be comfortable, yet you have to endure the foul smell. I am begging the agencies concerned to do something about these concerns.

Janie

Reality shows offer lessons in vanity

March 15, p. 17

Reality TV shows just can't get any scarier. We have witnessed everything from the competitive American Idol to courageous Survivor to the contemporary Adams family daily freak show that is The Osbournes; from Brit and K-Fed's chaotically disturbed newlywed shame to the rural American adventures of Miss Hilton and Miss Ritchie, who seem determined to annoy local cows and chickens. Before we realized how the first few productions were our reality TV entertainment took on a more ludicrous trend.

Your comments:

I only like the reality TV shows when they use hidden cameras. Otherwise, it is just fake and phony with people "acting" for the camera and not really reality at all. All those shows should use ones like in brickhousesecurity.com and have the camera hidden in the model's sunglasses or something.

Reggie