Taxi drivers worry over proposed introduction of mini taxi service

KUALA LUMPUR: After feeling the impact of declining income due to competition with Uber and GrabCar service, taxi drivers in the capital are now worried that their income will be further affected if the proposed introduction of mini taxi service become a reality this year.
This concern was voiced by several taxi drivers met by Bernama around the city today.
Abd Rahim Desa, 62, said since Uber and GrabCar private vehicle transportation services began operation in October 2014, his income had been on the decline.
"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.
Abd Rahim, who is a government retiree, said the mini taxis would create more competition among existing taxi drivers as they offer more economical price to passengers.
Meanwhile Sharim Shamsul Othman, 50, hoped that the authorities would take measures to ensure the implementation of the mini taxi service would not affect income of existing taxi operators.
"As 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, adding that he used to earn RM100 a day but now the amount was dwindling.
A newspaper today reported that the government would be introducing the mini taxi service in big cities, especially in Kuala Lumpur before year's end.
The mini taxi service involved the use of compact cars, such as the Perodua Axia, as vehicle maintenance for cars below 1,000cc was relatively low.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi reportedly said in a Malay-language weekly newspaper today that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) was studying the possibility of introducing the service. — Bernama