Common Questions About Bali Tour Driver...
'Okay, unless you are a regular Bali visitor, being approached by someone saying "...taxi? transport? tour?" In front of your hotel lobby or any public places may cause a big question mark in your mind; who are these guys? Are they a REAL taxi driver offering services?
In this small list of questions and the answers I am trying to help you to find answer to the above question, which based on my own experience as a private driver in Bali.
Happy reading!
Are you a taxi driver?
"At some point, yes. I provide usual transport service like airport pick up, hotel transfers, etc from any area upon appointment as well as to drive passenger from my station to their next destination. Just like any taxi does but at same time my service is also dedicated for longer trip like day tour while taxi usually transporting people within the city limit.
I also drive an MPV instead of 4 seater sedan car and charge a fixed rate instead of kilometer based pricing.
I cannot take passenger in the streets like taxi does and as return -based on MoU- taxis are not allowed to take passenger within my station for fairer competition. Unfortunately this often violated and taxi keep taking passenger. Well, not a big problem though. As long as customers happy."
You mentioned Station. What is it?
"Station is a place where group of drivers are , well, 'stationed' by our Licensed Drivers Association of Bali Province. The station can be airport, hotels, villas, shopping malls, sea ports etc. My station is, for instance, Discovery Shopping Mall (Centro) in Kuta center."
So you are a licensed driver?
"Absolutely! Private cars MUST be fully registered at the Bali Department of Ground Transportation. I pay more tax and submission fee also to be legally operate in Indonesia. Our cars must be thoroughly inspected every 6 (six) months to get a drive-worthy approval by relevant Government bodies, mainly from the aforesaid office as well as Traffic Authorities.
The easiest way to identify a registered car is by looking closely at our police plates. There will be smaller plates attached to it. This plates is our valuables. Without that plates the car you are in can be considered as a non-registered."
You do not use meter system and many say you charge higher than the metered taxi. Explanation, please.
"Good question. We actually do not overcharge our customers. I personally admit that the price is slightly higher than regular taxi but our car accommodates more passengers and luggage.
Our cars are 5 to 7 seater MPVs and they are very suitable for larger group.
If you are travelling with your family for example, using our service is in fact save you from double charge using 2 taxis.
One hint: since we are 'locked' in fixed price, we do not play with distance and timing. Once price is set deal, we will take you to your destination safely and try our best to avoid going around and around as we do not rely on 'the farther/longer we go, the more we get paid scheme."
What car do you drive?
"I currently drive a 2011 Suzuki APV. It is a roomy car and good for up to 7 person or 5 with luggage.
I also can provide other type of cars on request."
Is it safe to travel with you?
"Yes. Absolutely safe.
When committed to this job, the safety and comfort of our passengers is our primary goal. Like anyone else, I do afraid of customer's complaint and being listed on Trip Advisor makes me fully aware of the meaning of reputation and word of mouth marketing. I love being criticized so I can improve my services, though."
You are listed on Trip Advisor but not many reviews on it. What happened?
"Huff... we apparently share the same question.
I have been requesting my customers to post a review after a tour ended. Any good or bad review is accepted but, I have also understand that they might not have time yet or they simply forget after leaving Bali and back to busy days at their hometown.
All I can say is that I am good driver. My service is good and the rate is fair."
One last question. How do I contact you?
"You can send email here or using our Contact Us form at the last page of this website. For faster response or last minute booking you can chat me on my WhatsApp number at +6281999957701 or you can also call or sms me at +6281337777021.
Sometime the response may slower which means I am on steering wheel. I do not use phone when driving unless my customer asks me so to make reservation for example."
In this small list of questions and the answers I am trying to help you to find answer to the above question, which based on my own experience as a private driver in Bali.
Happy reading!
Are you a taxi driver?
"At some point, yes. I provide usual transport service like airport pick up, hotel transfers, etc from any area upon appointment as well as to drive passenger from my station to their next destination. Just like any taxi does but at same time my service is also dedicated for longer trip like day tour while taxi usually transporting people within the city limit.
I also drive an MPV instead of 4 seater sedan car and charge a fixed rate instead of kilometer based pricing.
I cannot take passenger in the streets like taxi does and as return -based on MoU- taxis are not allowed to take passenger within my station for fairer competition. Unfortunately this often violated and taxi keep taking passenger. Well, not a big problem though. As long as customers happy."
You mentioned Station. What is it?
"Station is a place where group of drivers are , well, 'stationed' by our Licensed Drivers Association of Bali Province. The station can be airport, hotels, villas, shopping malls, sea ports etc. My station is, for instance, Discovery Shopping Mall (Centro) in Kuta center."
So you are a licensed driver?
"Absolutely! Private cars MUST be fully registered at the Bali Department of Ground Transportation. I pay more tax and submission fee also to be legally operate in Indonesia. Our cars must be thoroughly inspected every 6 (six) months to get a drive-worthy approval by relevant Government bodies, mainly from the aforesaid office as well as Traffic Authorities.
The easiest way to identify a registered car is by looking closely at our police plates. There will be smaller plates attached to it. This plates is our valuables. Without that plates the car you are in can be considered as a non-registered."
You do not use meter system and many say you charge higher than the metered taxi. Explanation, please.
"Good question. We actually do not overcharge our customers. I personally admit that the price is slightly higher than regular taxi but our car accommodates more passengers and luggage.
Our cars are 5 to 7 seater MPVs and they are very suitable for larger group.
If you are travelling with your family for example, using our service is in fact save you from double charge using 2 taxis.
One hint: since we are 'locked' in fixed price, we do not play with distance and timing. Once price is set deal, we will take you to your destination safely and try our best to avoid going around and around as we do not rely on 'the farther/longer we go, the more we get paid scheme."
What car do you drive?
"I currently drive a 2011 Suzuki APV. It is a roomy car and good for up to 7 person or 5 with luggage.
I also can provide other type of cars on request."
Is it safe to travel with you?
"Yes. Absolutely safe.
When committed to this job, the safety and comfort of our passengers is our primary goal. Like anyone else, I do afraid of customer's complaint and being listed on Trip Advisor makes me fully aware of the meaning of reputation and word of mouth marketing. I love being criticized so I can improve my services, though."
You are listed on Trip Advisor but not many reviews on it. What happened?
"Huff... we apparently share the same question.
I have been requesting my customers to post a review after a tour ended. Any good or bad review is accepted but, I have also understand that they might not have time yet or they simply forget after leaving Bali and back to busy days at their hometown.
All I can say is that I am good driver. My service is good and the rate is fair."
One last question. How do I contact you?
"You can send email here or using our Contact Us form at the last page of this website. For faster response or last minute booking you can chat me on my WhatsApp number at +6281999957701 or you can also call or sms me at +6281337777021.
Sometime the response may slower which means I am on steering wheel. I do not use phone when driving unless my customer asks me so to make reservation for example."