Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): The government will consider allowing ride-sharing mobile applications Uber and GrabCar to operate legally provided they meet certain requirements, Berita Harian reported today.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said among others, the driver would have to be registered and must obtain the public service vehicle (PSV) operator's licence.

Their vehicles would have to undergo periodic computerised vehicle inspection by Puspakom and they must also have insurance cover for passengers.

Aziz said a decision would be announced after a workshop to be held by the ministry and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) soon.

"Once we introduce the regulations, we will be able to better monitor the services provided," he was quoted as saying.

Aziz said the rational for allowing Uber and GrabCar to operate legally was based on public feedback which found the services to be honest, fast and efficient.

"It is not fair to prevent them from continuing with their operations," he said.

Aziz said in order to be fair to other taxi drivers, the government might extend the Puspakom checks from once every six months to once a year.

"This will help the taxi drivers to save on operational cost. They will be able to send their vehicles for inspection once a year rather than twice a year," the Berita Harian report quoted him as saying.

Aziz said SPAD was also planning to introduce a new service called "mini taxi".

He said the details of the "mini taxi" would be announced later once a final decision had been made.

A recent survey conducted by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) found that more than 76% of respondents said they were more comfortable using app-based services such as Uber or GrabCar, and more than 86% claimed that conventional taxis overcharged or did not use meters.

Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail, owner and adviser of the company which manages taxi services at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), had said that the company was taking SPAD to court for failing in its duty to take enforcement action against the illegal ride-sharing services.

Shamsubahrin also said that legal action would also be taken against Uber and GrabCar for illegally picking up passengers in its territory and using drivers and vehicles not approved by SPAD.

He had said there would not have been a problem if Uber and GrabCar had worked with his company and used its taxis instead.

 

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