Netizens upset with Transport Ministry, Loke over licence ruling

KUALA LUMPUR: Netizens have lashed out at the government, in particular the Transport Ministry and its minister, Anthony Loke, over the ruling that e-hailing drivers have to get the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.

Saying the government seemed to want to take money from the Bottom 40 per cent income group (B40) — many e-hailing service drivers are from this group — they were concerned that the ruling would soon lead to a longer waiting time and higher fares for customers, also known as riders.

Reports published by the New Straits Times stated that an estimated 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the 300,000 e-hailing drivers were expected to quit, which might lead to longer waiting time and, perhaps, higher fares.

The reports said the cost to obtain the PSV licence was RM200 for training, on top of expenses for medical examination and other associated costs, which are expected to bring the total to RM1,000, a sum which is too much for most, if not all, drivers to bear.

E-hailing service Grab has 200,000 drivers, of which 50 per cent are from the B40 group.

Commenting on NST Online’s Facebook page, Sharon De Cruz asked what was the point of people holding extra jobs as e-hailing drivers when they will lose their entire week’s or month’s earnings.

Raf Abdullah also viewed the legislation as making money from drivers in the B40 group.

“If they (the government) are concerned about the PSV ruling, then they should provide free courses and vehicle inspection. After all, what is the cost to the government to conduct the training?”

Henry Law said many parttime drivers bought new cars for business and many will suffer because of the ruling.

Another thing overlooked was the cost to a driver in converting his private vehicle to a commercial one.

Edddy Lai said: “A part-time driver, if he does this, will see the second-hand value of his car drastically plunge by thousands of ringgit... If things deteriorate for the riders, such as paying higher fares and longer waiting times, this will not be good for the government. Don’t forget there are many e-hailing drivers and there are even more riders... and they all are most likely voters.”

Stephen Lim said while previously a Grab driver had to pay only for insurance and road tax, he now had to dig deeper into his pocket to pay extra for the licence, initial and annual vehicle checks at Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centres (Puspakom), medical check-up and passenger’s insurance.

“But the fare is 60 per cent cheaper (than taxi fares) and ehailing drivers pay higher toll fees compared with taxis.”

E-hailing customer Effiza Muhammad said she had a hard time finding a Grab car yesterday.

“It is very convenient and cheaper for people to use Grab. Why are we going backwards? Instead of making (a) law to improve the rising cost of living and give better service to the people, we are doing the opposite... SAD!!!” she wrote.

Rider Helen Pereira said life “has been so much simpler” with Grab and other e-hailing services.

“Most taxi drivers are rude and dishonest (refusing to use meters). On top of that, the taxis are in bad condition.”

Other comments from the NST Online Facebook page included one from someone using the handle Hanis ZA, who sarcastically thanked the government as the ruling means that it would be difficult for those in the B40 group to become e-hailing drivers.

Someone using the handle Realy Oh said: “Maybe Anthony Loke has not used Grab before. They (ministers) have drivers to send and pick them up everywhere. Could he be thinking that Grab is like kereta sapu?”

Oh’s sentiments were echoed by Flora Machambo, who said Loke should “be like one of us” so that he would know why the people “fear taxis” and don’t feel comfortable or safe in them.

Gary Teoh questioned why ride sharing, which was supposed to be simple, cost less and better for the environment, had become so difficult.

Facebook user Min Min called for the public to rally against the ruling.

“Knowing this government, enough pressure and they will Uturn. Use it to your advantage.”