Govt to ensure level playing field for taxi, e-hailing drivers, says minister

Gan Pei Ling Gan Pei Ling Updated 7 years ago · Published on 27 Jun 2018 5:20PM · 1 Comments

Transport Minister Anthony Loke says he understands the frustrations faced by taxi drivers. – The Malaysian Insight pic, June 27, 2018.

THE Transport Ministry will ensure a level playing field between taxi and e-hailing drivers, said its minister Anthony Loke.

He also urged taxi drivers who have threatened to demonstrate to be patient with the new Pakatan Harapan government.

“We understand your problems. As opposition, we often met with taxi drivers’ associations. 

“We are not sitting on it. Please don’t start this new chapter with protests. Please be patient. Give me some time. We’ll be fair to all,” Loke told the press after the weekly Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya.

He said the previous Barisan Nasional government has amended the laws to regulate e-hailing drivers but the regulations have to be enforced.

“We cannot ban e-hailing. It’s an international trend. We’ll regulate. There will be rules that e-hailing drivers have to follow,” he said.

He said e-hailing drivers will have to register themselves with the government and buy insurance like taxi drivers, among others.

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has until July to provide suggestions to the Transport Ministry to level the playing field, said Loke.

“I have a meeting with them on the direction of taxi and e-hailing this afternoon.” – June 27, 2018.

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Comments

  • e-Hailing is the future. Passengers like it and drivers can earn income from it unlike the taxi industry. Taxi in Malaysia sucks. That's the truth. Taxi have no choice but to improve their service to compete. That is how market works. Customer service and price is king

    Posted 7 years ago by John Nabu · Reply