Cab drivers are once again complaining about the e-hailing or ride-hailing services such as Grab and Uber. Like a broken record, they are grumbling that in locations such as the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, only 40 out of 100 commuters would consider using taxi services.
Taxi drivers are also claiming they have lost millions of ringgit in potential income due to the legalisation of ride-hailing services. According to them, their daily income had fallen significantly to RM150 from RM500 previously.
But enough is enough! Their whining is relentless and tiresome.
The cabbies are harping on the same old issue of regulation. They say that since the ride-hailing services have been legalised, Uber and Grab drivers should also be subject to regulations. For instance, cabbies have to undergo vehicle inspections with the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom). Now they complain that Uber and Grab drivers do not adhere to rules such as uniforms and display of driver’s card. Are they serious?
Cabbies seem to have forgotten that the Land Public Transport Commission or SPAD had actually introduced rules for ride-hailing last August. These include the necessity to obtain an Intermediation Business Licence from SPAD and include a mandatory SOS button on their apps. However, Uber and Grab drivers do not have to get their vehicles inspected by Puspakom as long as they are registered with the Road Transport Department for less than three years.
What gives, cabbies?
Why don’t they focus on improving their services rather than blaming ride-hailing services for their travails? Or better still, why not become an Uber or Grab driver by taking the RM5,000 grant that the government is giving for cabbies to make the switch?
