SPAD gathering feedback to transform taxi industry

KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is in the midst of obtaining feedback from various ministries and agencies in its efforts to transform the taxi industry.
The feedback includes recommendations to make amendments to existing laws including the Land Public Transport Act.
Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Syed Albar said that once they have gathered the feedback, the commission would then be able to submit the proposed amendments to the Cabinet for approval to be tabled in Parliament.
"When Parliament approves those amendments then SPAD would be able to start regulating all the existing and future e-hailing services in the country," Syed Hamid told reporters at the Salak Selatan Integrated Terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan today.
He said the amendments would enable the commission to create a level playing field for all parties in the ride for hire service in the country.
Syed Hamid urged all stakeholders to be patient while the changes take place as the legislative process would take time.
Commenting on the recent incidents of taxi drivers beating up Uber and Grab drivers, Syed Hamid said it is up to the police to take action against such taxi drivers.
"Although we are leaving it to the police to punish them, the commission would not hesitate to suspend and/or revoke their drivers' card once these drivers are found guilty of committing a criminal offence," he said.
On a separate issue, Syed Hamid said SPAD has contacted Prasarana with regards to the LRT train door that was wide open while the carriage was moving.
"Once they have concluded their investigation, a report will be submitted to SPAD," he said.
Syed Hamid said it was likely that the train involved was from an older model because the doors for all the newer models would automatically close when the train moves, or otherwise the train would not be able to move.