The plan to introduce a new small car-based taxi service isn’t even in the pipeline yet, but it’s already drawing an unfavourable view. This, from regular taxi drivers, who have begun voicing their concern over the move, Bernama reports.
Taxi drivers in KL, already feeling the impact of declining income due to the competition brought about by Uber and GrabCar ride-sharing services, say that they are worried that their takings will be further affected if the proposed introduction of the mini taxi service becomes a reality.
Yesterday, it was reported that the government was studying a proposal for the new service, which will utilise small engine displacement models such as the Perodua Axia, with the benefits of such a service being low maintenance costs for such vehicles and cheaper rates for customers.
Taxi drivers, however, aren’t sharing such a positive view. A taxi driver interviewed by the national news agency said that his income had been on the decline since ride-searing services had emerged on the scene, and the idea of yet more competition isn’t appealing.
“If the proposal is approved, taxi drivers like us will have more difficulties in getting customers and our income will continue to drop,” he said, adding that the mini taxis would create more competition among existing taxi drivers as they would offer a more economical price to passengers.
Another taxi driver said he hoped that the authorities would take measures to ensure that the new service will not affect income of existing taxi operators. “It is already difficult for us to earn a living as a taxi driver with Uber and Grabcar services being the preferred customers’ choice,” he said. The driver said he used to earn RM100 a day, but the amount was dwindling.
Deputy transport minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) was studying the possibility of introducing the service. He added that the new service will not affect conventional taxi businesses, as it will cater only to those traveling from any Light Rail Transit (LRT) station to their home, within a certain proximity.
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SPAD are just making excuses for themself, since taxi drivers and Rakyat have lose confidence/ lost hope on the Government department. Why don’t the taxi drivers ask the NGO’s and Rakyat support to abolish this department? and find new solutions?
Our teksi drivers are all lazy. Half the time parking bawak pokok and relaks fast asleep. They hardly work 3 to4 hours a day. All the time parked and sleeping with their other teksi buddies.
now, our teksi guys do side business. Infact, they have been doing this 20 yrs now but now, they are more aggressive. They bring tourist and Malaysians to brothels and the pimps pay them commission.
Since Uber and Grabcar now doing so well, practiclaly all teksi drivers have become part time pimps promoting brothels and massage parlours.
Why Anthony Lim doesnt mention about RV of Perodua Axia.. Perodua have good RV.. Taxi driver can sell at high price if want to upgrade to a bigger size of car in the future..
Taxi drivers not keen to do anything. Suka buli pemandu-pemandu grabcar/uber yang rajin berkerja and ripping off tourists by over-charging and not using meters.
Why don’t bring in motorbike taxi, so mat rampit can have business during daytime
Good idea! Much better than them racing on the streets legally. Plenty of them in Thailand
I thought the idea of mini taxi is to replace all the ageing Protons used as the current taxi fleet? Instead of adding to the competition?
Why the need to introduce a new segment and pricing. Just let the taxi driver buy whatever car they think best for them and stick with the same pricing model. The current Saga taxi isn’t that big compared to Axia (interior space wise).
Karpawi, ur proposal is rejected..
Taxi drivers have no moral standing to complain.
If it wasn’t for their own actions and performance, competitors like grab car and uber would have never taken a foot hold.
I truly pity the few honest taxi drivers that became collateral in the battle of greasing the pockets of the powers at be.
Well said
Quote: “It is already difficult for us to earn a living as a taxi driver with Uber and Grabcar services being the preferred customers’ choice,”
Learn la from them & improve from there… Kalau semuanya tak boleh then apa je yang boleh, for us, the customers & public in general…
Got a budget taxi from KLIA2 to KL. Taxi – proton saga – was probably more than 20 years old, run-down, worn seats, dirty, smelly, bone-shakers – how did it ever pass Puspakom so-called test. You know I know – wink wink nudge nudge – Malaysia bolih, Najib bolih, semua umno bolih
20 yrs saga!haha, pls lah, u think we believe you?
it is true – more than 20 years.. if saga iswara. it’s a shameful to let this taxi picking up passenger from our international airport klia and klia2. Govt. should ban all this old taxi! all these people are shameless lazy leech. Earn their living leeching on tourist and weak passenger.
Dont forget about u help me, i help u..
And they think can get something smaller and cheaper than Saga. haiz!
The problem here is not the size of the taxi, but sizes of the brains of both the authorities and taxi drivers.
Malaysia Taxi not mini enough by introducing New Saga with NGV Tank behind?? Can carry people but not luggage?
There is no Taxi coming during peak and we forced to take premium blue taxi all the time.
Look at Subang airport, look at how long is the q….
look at pavilion area and klcc, all blue taxi….
Singapore using D segment taxi even prius… bangkok using C segment altis and even toyota fortuner.
Malaysia taxi should use Proton Preve at least that size for Taxi. Exora is good too
introduce new service? intro new service with all proton cars to help boost up proton sales you should say? nah… taxi drivers just rejecting for their own good but not the customers too. still complaining about other companies providing good services and become preferred customers’ choice. wth… customers always have the right to choose the best for them, if you don’t improve, don’t complain.