Uber positive over talks with authorities, 100k drivers

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Uber, while generally popular among urbanites as a reliable taxi alternative, has met with opposition from groups such as taxi drivers, who have been urging the authorities to clamp down on app-based ride hailing services. Instead of an outright ban, the government is seeking to regulate the likes of Uber and Grab.

Uber Malaysia remains positive over the outcome of talks with transport authorities, The Sun reports. Country manager Leon Foong said opportunities were present and that progress was steady during discussions.

He expressed belief that there may be positive news at the end of the day, but declined to elaborate when pressed. “We are optimistic,” was all Foong said during a media luncheon in Penang.

Uber’s service was first introduced in KL in 2014, before the tech company expanded to Johor Baru, Penang and most recently, Ipoh. “We are targeting to get 100,000 drive partners in 2017,” Foong added.

The 100k driver figure was last attached to year 2016 when the Uber Malaysia head talked to The Star in January. He revealed then that there are 60,000 Uber driver partners in the Klang Valley at present, and with seven million people living in the area, “we’re just getting started.”

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Goodbye Dirty Teksi on Mar 10, 2016 at 11:48 am

    I am happy to say goodbye to the dirty teksi drivers. Most of whom are lazy to the core, hardly work 9 hours, sleep most of the time bawah pokok and harrass female passengers.

    This is the life of a normal teksi driver
    7am – Have Nasi Lemak breakfast
    8am – Still Having breakfast
    9am – Just finished breakfast, a bit tired. Drive under a tree with few other teksi drivers
    10am – Take a nap.
    11am – get up and drive looking for passengers until 1pm
    1pm – Go to warong and drink with fellow teksi driver. Eat until 2pm
    2pm – Sleep until 3pm bawak pokok
    3pm to 6 pm – Look for passengers

    No wonder they are jealous of Uber!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 1
    • George Abdul on Mar 10, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Bad taxi drivers were spoil by SPAD, now even some good taxi driver get affected… Rakyat need help from NGO’s to assist current good taxi driver. SPAD just wasted Tax payers money !

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Uber experience on Mar 10, 2016 at 11:58 am

    We support win win arrangement between user and service provider. what is that to complain?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • Uber will definitely be legalized because Khazanah ha stakes in this company. It’s only due to the protest from taxi (not that I support them because I dislike them) that the issue is dragged until today.. Need all the sandiwara before uber can operate in Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • Crony Wins on Mar 10, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      that is malaysia for you. Government got stake in everything. Most Governments will stay away from industries so that they can regulate in a neutral manner.

      not in Malaysia. Semua boleh!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • dodgeviper88 on Mar 10, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Hopefully by legalizing it doesn’t mean being bogged down by too much redtape and legislations until operating costs exceeds uber fare that many will stop driving for uber. As it is uber fares are too low for uber drivers to make a living. In fact if you factor in cost of depreciation uber drivers are making a loss!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Stella McJibby on Mar 10, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    But does it still rewarding to drive for Uber? I’ve heard the incentives and bonuses for driver partners has dropped tremendously while Uber percentage cut from drivers increases from 20% to 25%

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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