TAXI drivers who use e-hailing technologies stand to earn more, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. 

He said taxi drivers could benefit by using e-hailing applications and also by picking up passengers manually.

“We ask them to use the e-hailing service, not make them give up their taxis. The taxis can continue. 

“They have the advantage of picking up passengers either on the application or by the roadside,” he said after officiating the Abdullah Hukum LRT station today. 

“If we use the traditional system, you can only pick passengers at the roadside. But now, a lot of people are booking (cabs) through their mobile phones. That is why we ask taxi drivers to adapt by using this technology,” Loke said.

Last night, during the 11th Malaysia Plan debate in Parliament, Loke pleaded with taxi drivers to use e-hailing services instead of boycotting the technology.

“Our direction is to for taxi drivers to use e-hailing applications, either it is Grab or other companies. We are not focusing on Grab alone. There are 20 to 30 e-hailing companies in this country, we have options.

“What is important is that we want to convince taxi drivers if you do not use new technology, you will be left behind,” he said.

There are more than 10,000 taxi drivers who have registered with e-hailing services and Loke hopes the number will increase with the new policies by the Pakatan Harapan government.

“I have fixed that e-hailing services can take a commission of only 10%, maximum. It cannot be more than that,” he said.

Last week, a group of taxi drivers demanded that Loke resign, saying he could not resolve the issue between them and e-hailing services.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also weighed in on the matter, saying Putrajaya will ensure a level playing field between taxi drivers and those in the e-hailing service sector. – November 1, 2018.