TAXI drivers are protesting against being forced \u201d through licensing requirements \u201d to use Proton cars in their business. Their reasons are justifiable enough. Firstly, they complain that maintenance costs are high and the cars are prone to breaking down, which makes that cost even higher. For people whose income do not even hit five figures, to fork out around RM500 every month to keep their cars in tip-top condition is a strain on their pockets. Maintenance is important to their business because there are regular compulsory inspections and tests at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre, which they must pass before they are allowed to carry on. That this test itself is expensive is another grouse. To add insult to injury, Proton cars do not have boots large enough. And now, the latest policy, as announced by the Land Transport Commission in April last year, all budget and executive taxis must migrate to the Exora model \u201d the \u0153people carrier\u009d of the Proton brand.<\/p>\n