A new smartphone app, cALLme, has been launched for passengers to hail taxi drivers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). A collaboration between the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (Angkasa) and Malaysian Taxi Drivers, Limousine and Car Rental Operators Association (Petekma), this latest offering is designed to help cabbies compete with the likes of Grab in the ride-hailing sector.
According to The Star, the move to develop the app was necessary for the industry in light of competition from larger, better-funded competitors, said Angkasa president Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah. He added that his organisation would provide training to both drivers and operators to take advantage of the system.
Petekma chairman Mohd Syahrir Abd Aziz said that cALLme would begin operations in KLIA and the neighbouring KLIA2 before expanding to major urban centres, with the next area being Langkawi. “It’s specially for registered taxis,” he added.
Present at the launch event at KLIA was transport minister Anthony Loke, who said that the app was meant to help modernise taxi drivers in order for them to compete with other parties. In response to the protests held by taxi drivers against “e-hailing” operators, he asserted that while those unhappy with the government’s policies had the right to dissent, the government did not want to victimise taxi drivers.
“We need to face reality. If we want to improve the taxi industry, we need to upgrade with the use of modern technology,” he said, adding that improving the industry’s competitiveness would be a better use of time and focus, rather than holding demonstrations.
Loke did concede, however, that competitors in the ride-hailing sector has brought several challenges to the traditional way of business. “We have 70,000 registered taxis, with 60% of these owned by companies. Many drivers are retirees depending on their daily earnings to support themselves and their families.”
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Why is the government still helping the cab companies? The cabbies themselves can easily convert to Grab or MyCar drivers!
Well done caring govt… Taxi and ride-hailing grow together. Anthony, Angkasa and Petekma
Another alternative to Uber
Becoz the cab companies help to promote PH back then? So now its Reward Treats time.
App name oso sound like something wrong
After such warmongering tactics, blackmail and inconvenience caused, taxis will need more than an app to convince people to trust them again. I can’t imagine them being a viable alternative to grab so long as I still have to sit through what is likely an hour long screaming lecture about the dangers of uninsured grab cars by a gob spitting slob in a sweltering unair-conditioned car. Do some soul searching and try harder.
Hope it’s not like linkbike in Penang. Great potential but useless app
Lolz.. guys.. download the passenger app.. and go to the FAQ. You will be laughing..i guarantee..Half baked developed app.
Its even better if they can let the customer choose their own cab.
It really suck when customer ordered one and get a crap looking cab.
Will end up dying just like all other taxi app before this. (iteksi, Oride, Mesra Cab)
Adoii. Dapat wira lagi. Menyesal.
Taxi… you have a looooooongg way to go for the public to accept you again… duhhh
Try harder