PICKnGO app eyes 10,000 taxi drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: Pick n Go Sdn Bhd is aiming for 10,000 taxi drivers to be on its newly-launched taxi booking application (app) platform, PICKnGO, within a year.
Executive Director, Valerie Chan said the e-hailing app had been operational over the past three months and currently, over 1,000 taxis had registered on the platform with some 1,500 using the service.
“The app is a brainchild of five taxi companies, keen on keeping abreast of technological advancements and the changing business landscape. It was developed from a vision to provide a fast, safe and convenient service to the public at the tap of a button.
“With the rise in ride-hailing service providers, we are concerned about the welfare of local taxi service providers, and hope the app will help them remain competitive,” he told reporters after the launch of the app here yesterday, by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The five taxi companies are New Supercab Sdn Bhd, Uptownace (M) Sdn Bhd, Damai Kota Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Pemandu dan Pemilik Teksi Bhd and Perniagaan Lima Sejati Sdn Bhd.
Chan said the participating taxi drivers need to undergo training to improve their ethics, grooming, app skills and have vehicles insured and inspected to ensure a better service quality experience among users.
“With the 10,000 targeted taxi drivers around Kuala Lumpur undergoing training, it is hoped that the mindset among users and drivers on the taxi services, can be improved through a better experience.
“Other key features of the PICKnGO app includes metered rates instead of a surge in pricing charges.
This makes it a cost savings app that people can count on, besides having a convenient payment method of via cash or cashless payments with debit and credit cards,” she added.
To address safety concerns among the ride hailing industry of late, the app has also incorporated features such as a SOS button that enables passengers to travel with greater peace of mind.
By using the app, taxi drivers are expected to improve their income by at least 30 per cent with operations being more efficient.
The app operator, unlike other e-hailing service providers, do not charge drivers based on a fare percentage, but a minimum 50 sen up to RM2 based on distance. — Bernama