In a statement today, 4PAM president Ajit Johl expressed hope that proposed amendments to the Land Public Transport Act 2010 would encourage more operators in the industry and directly improve ride-share services.
Among others, Ajit suggested that all ride-share vehicles have GPS tracking technology as well as cameras that would be connected to a command centre under the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
He added that all ride-share apps should also have an SOS button that would notify the passenger’s family, the police and SPAD if the passenger felt endangered at any point of the trip.
Likewise, he said taxis must also be equipped with GPS trackers and cameras capturing everything that takes place inside the vehicle.
Other proposals by 4PAM included regulating drivers’ qualifications, ensuring adequate insurance coverage for drivers and passengers, and tariff regulation to make sure users were not held to ransom with high tariffs.
Directors of ride share companies should be held responsible for the conduct of their drivers, he said, and non-compliance should be punished with stiff fines or imprisonment.
If these changes were implemented, Ajit said, the ride-share and taxi industries should be able to co-exist. He gave the example of the airline industry, where full-fair and low-cost carriers competed for the same market space.
“Rates are important, but it is not the only factor in consumer decision-making,” he said.
Ajit also hit out at SPAD, saying the commission’s “failure to provide adequate regulation and enforcement” was “putting a major dent on the level of confidence among users”.
He said if these amendments were made at this month’s Parliament sitting, Malaysia’s public transport would go from being the last alternative for users to their preferred choice.
“The government has spent billions of ringgit on public transport infrastructure, and there is an immediate need to have effective policies to encourage the growth of the sector and ensure that the rights of its largest stakeholders, the public transport users, are assured, protected and guaranteed.”