Cab Auto Bus Sdn Bhd executive chairman Tengku Hasmadi Hashim said the main aim of the app is to help a taxi industry that has been getting a negative image and suffering deteriorating business over the past decade.
“With the introduction of this app, we want to give taxi drivers a second chance, and to help them regain the trust of the public and tourists,” he told reporters at the launch held at the Corus Hotel here today.
Hasmadi said the taxi industry has received too much bad publicity and hopes the app will change the public perception of taxi drivers.
“We need to stop all the haggling, the issues of taxi drivers not using the meter and selective journeys, where they only want to do long trips.
“It is time that the taxi drivers start changing their attitudes if they want to continue to survive.”
The 2GO Personal app is already available for Android and iPhone users.
Hasmadi said that the benefit of the app is that all journey’s are calculated based on a flat rate.
“When you book your journey all fares are fixed. It is better than using the meter, because if you get stuck in a jam the meter will continue to run. With the app there are no extra charges.
“If you don’t have the app, you can even flag down any taxi which carries our logo and ask the driver to key in your destination and they will show you a fixed rate.
“Users can pay for their rides with credit card, debit card or cash.”
Hasmadi also said that there are added security features on the app and in the taxis in the event of an emergency.
“There is a panic button on the app and the taxis are being fitted with tablets.
“The tablet has a camera and a microphone and panic button. The minute the panic button is pressed or if a user shouts it will automatically activate the camera and audio which is connected to the control centre,” he said, adding that the tablets cannot be manipulated by the taxi driver.
Hasmadi said that 12 taxi association’s have agreed to participate in the 2GO programme, with close to 2,000 taxi drivers using the Partner 2GO app for their interaction with customers.
“Currently 1,800 taxi drivers have downloaded the Partner 2GO app and we are expecting another 8,000 to join by the end of the year.”
Among the first taxi companies to join the 2GO programme is Big Blue Capital (M) Sdn Bhd.