SPAD gathering feedback from govt for new taxi laws

Malaysia-Taxi-03

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is urging patience from all parties concerned as it is in the midst of obtaining feedback from various ministries and agencies in its efforts to transform the taxi industry, The Sun reports. The feedback includes recommendations for amendments to existing laws such as the Land Public Transport Act.

SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Syed Albar said that once the commission has gathered the feedback, it would be able to submit the proposed amendments to the Cabinet for approval to be tabled in parliament.

“When parliament approves those amendments then SPAD would be able to start regulating all the existing and future e-hailing services in the country,” Syed Hamid told reporters last week, adding that the amendments would enable the commission to create a level playing field for all parties in the ride for hire service.

Taxi Drivers Protest Against GrabCar 1

Taxi drivers have lately been protesting and behaving aggressively towards Uber and Grab drivers. Cabbies damaged a car and in the process injured a foreigner last month at KL Sentral, while some 200 taxi drivers gathered at Penang’s Esplanade for a four-hour strike and protest against the legalising of Uber and Grab last week.

On taxi drivers beating up Uber and Grab drivers, Syed Hamid said it is up to the police to take action. “Although we are leaving it to the police to punish them, the commission would not hesitate to suspend and/or revoke their drivers’ card once these drivers are found guilty of committing a criminal offence,” he said.

The target is by year end, and the e-hailing model is set to legalise and regulate Uber/Grab drivers, at the same time creating a level playing field between them and taxis. More here.

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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

  • ganni on Jul 04, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    stupid taxi drivers..always want a spoon feed..if there is competition, u need to be positive and be competent…not try to a gangster and looks like an idiot…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 1
    • Yokohama24 on Jul 04, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      Malaysia have spoon feed enough parties already. Like Proton for example >:( Which in turn causing losses instead.

      It will be the same thing if Malaysia spoon feed the taxi industry. It will cause them to be less competitive which will lead to low quality services. I guarantee it!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • Yokohama24 on Jul 04, 2016 at 2:18 pm

      It clearly proves that they are not competent enough (for those who act like idiots and gangster)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • Black Dog on Jul 04, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    Don’t know why but everytime I see this picture of them protesting, i get damn piss off!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • drMpower on Jul 04, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    Some say the comparison is like KFC vs Texas Chicken and neither of them goes barging each other, and both compete healthy. So taxi drivers should do the same – compete.

    Except that the comparison analogy is wrong.

    Conventional taxi drivers versus uber and the so alike ones, is not fair due to the field play is not level. Both drive cars and ferry people but taxi drivers have to pay much more for their effort. The commercial taxing permit, insurance, shares for taxi company, and many more. While uber drivers are not subjected to any of these except that uber the company demands percentage of the monthly earnings of these drivers.

    Its like teksi sapu – a modern version teksi sapu.

    According to mygadgets.my, riders who use uber services pay online (2016). Which isnt true. Theres one chap told people he earned 300RM perday doing uber, so do the math for a monthly earning. And there are people doing company of their own to do uber. Of course u dont know about this, because they doing it discreetly.

    Theres no point to discuss uber from legal point of view. They say its grey area, but to many that just a plain hoax. There are very easy ways to stop uber.

    But these people still not stop uber.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 14
  • kemosabe on Jul 04, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    If only the taxis practice a safe and fair way of doing business, don’t think any one of them will lose to Uber or Grab car.
    I rather take the bus or LRT and walk, then to take one of these taxis.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Apekgoh on Jul 04, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    Current comfort taxi or others are in a sorry state. I took taxi very often. And their service, condition of their car, the entire experience is worst than taking bus. So why would i vote for their existence? If i have a choice i will take bus… but if i have a better choice other than bus and current taxi why wouldnt i be allow to have them???

    Sorry to say… 80% of my riding experience in a taxi is lousy. Shut up and drive, don’t short change me, i dont need a detour just get me to my destination, do you fix your viper? The smells…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Wait. Gathering feedback from govt? SPAD is not part of the govt itself? I thought they are the ones authorised on handling land public transport. Which ministries are you gathering feedback from? Health? Defence? Education? Agriculture? Are those related to taxis?

    It feels that this won’t get anywhere. Taxi will win, and Uber & Grabcar will be outlawed by them. Pockets getting empty.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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