Ever since the introduction of Uber and Grab (formerly known as MyTeksi), the taxi industry in Malaysia has been threathened with drop of passengers due to better customer satisfaction and cheaper fare with ride-sharing services, taxi drivers have protested and wanted these services to be regulated similarly as they are. Therefore, the Malaysian Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has announced that all registered Grab and Uber drivers will be required to hold a public service vehicle (PSV) license in order to do the job.
“We will review, and we will impose similar conditions to Uber and GrabCar as the ones on taxis by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD). At the same time, this will also provide health competition to taxis aside from Uber and GrabCar being able to operate according to SPAD rules,” deputy transport minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said.
While this is a good initiative for both the industry and passengers, the reliability of local taxis continue to exist, things such as fare haggling, not using the fare meters and being selective of destinations are still common in the local taxi industry, hence the reason why most folks will still continue to use ride sharing services. However for Uber and Grab drivers, especially for those who are working part time, this could actually discourage them from doing this as getting a PSV definitely isn’t going to be as simple as a driver’s license, which you will be required to go through a series of tests set by the road transport authority (JPJ), you can read the requirements of getting a PSV license here to be prepared just in case.
SOURCE: Sinar Harian, VIA: Paultan