He said since the inception of Uber and Grab, close to 60 per cent out of the more than 3,000 taxi drivers under his association had left.
“We are now expecting another 30 per cent of taxi drivers to return their taxis.
“I’m also disappointed with all the other taxi companies. They know the industry’s problems, but they are not doing anything about it,” he told reporters today at his office in Wisma Sentral.
Shamsubahrin was commenting on the fare structure for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (MRT SBK) line, that will commence operations next month.
A ride will cost commuters between RM1 and RM5.50 under the cashless fare structure, and a maximum of RM6.40 under the cash fare structure.
Shamsubahrin added that his lawyer was in the midst of drafting a letter that would be presented to Prime Minister Najib Razak and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) on Monday.
“The subject of the letter will be on low MRT fares. Our view is that the government should not make the low fares permanent.”
FMT reported today that Shamsubahrin was of the opinion that the government was out to finish off the taxi industry by introducing low MRT fares.
He said as things stood, taxi drivers were already badly affected by the competition from ride-sharing services Uber and Grab.
“Because of these ride-sharing services, the taxi industry has almost collapsed. Now the government has introduced low MRT fares. Where does the taxi industry and the drivers stand now?” he asked.
The first phase of the MRT SBK line, has 12 stops between Sungai Buloh and Semantan and will begin operations on Dec 16. Phase 2 of the line will cover the remaining 19 stations between Semantan and Kajang, and is scheduled to start operations next July.
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