No new permits for taxi driver issued since 2010: Nancy Shukri

KUALA LUMPUR: Since its inception in 2010, no new permits for taxi companies have been issued by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, today.
In a reply to a question by Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim (BN-Kuala Selangor) on the need to issue taxi permits to certain companies instead of directly to the taxi drivers, she told the Dewan Rakyat that taxi companies at present are allowed to continue operations with their existing permits.
The minister further clarified while there were no new permits for taxi companies, SPAD continues to issue individual taxi permits for drivers.
While acknowledging that companies with taxi permits have contributed and played a role in developing the industry, she said that the current system has its weakness with tendencies of being more favourable towards companies than taxi drivers themselves.
"As an example, some individual permit holders cannot afford to get loan facilities from banks because of various factors like age and previous financial records.
"Companies do offer the rental system where they help the individual permit holder get a taxi via contract, and at the end of the contract, they get to own the car," she said.
She expressed hope that amendments to the SPAD Act that were passed last week would enable the government to ensure that terms of the contract will fulfil minimum standards, ensuring justice for both drivers and companies.