Traditional taxis will remain relevant: Nancy

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's department Nancy Shukri (pix) said traditional cab services will still remain relevant despite the rise of e-hailing services in the public transportation industry.
"Some think (traditional cab services) is a dying or sunset industry. We don't regard it as such, because taxi drivers have been providing services to the people all this while.
"We want them to add value to their services to be at the forefront. We don't want them to have any fear," she said in a news conference held here today.
She also urged cab drivers to engage with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to avoid any uncertainties on their part once amendments to the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (APAD) is brought before the Dewan Negara to be gazetted.
"We want the taxi drivers to be at the same playing level field. It is up to them if they want to go (on their own) or remain with the companies … but the companies must also be fair to the drivers and passengers too.
"There are a lot of uncertainties especially among the taxi drivers. They are worried (on the competition with e-hailing services). The companies which are leasing (permits) to taxi drivers must also be able to add value for them.
"We're talking about insurance, security of users, third party (ownership) ... all this needs to be put in place. If there's anything (else that concerns drivers) we want them to discuss with SPAD now so that when everything is ready to be brought to the Dewan Negara, everybody will be happy," she told reporters here after launching the new e-hail app Pick N Go.
Currently, there are four other local-based e-hailing services which are EzCab, Zepp On, Riding Pink and JCab.