Better prospects from getting PSV licence

THE deadline for all e-hailing drivers to possess a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence is July 12. The Public Service Vehicle (PSV) module for training e-hailing drivers was made available at 211 approved driving academies and e-hailing centres nationwide on April 1.

But instead of rallying drivers to register for training and prove to the Transport Ministry that the waiting list go far beyond the deadline, many e-hailing operators have prematurely called for an extension to the July 12 deadline.

A few disclosed that some of their drivers had already closed their accounts and collected all payments due to them. If this is true, the mentality of these drivers is suspect because they could still continue until the deadline.

If part-time drivers do not bother to attend a short course, sit for the objective test and apply for the PSV licence after passing health and background checks, then they will lose out to taxi drivers, many of whom are semi-literate and had spend more time and money to obtain their licence.

Interestingly, taxi companies have never called on the authorities to relax the licence requirements or even lower the passing mark, as some taxi drivers were successful only after several attempts.

But e-hailing companies are getting used to the free rein they have been enjoying since they began operations. E-hailing services in Malaysia using private cars started five years ago, and there are now 35 registered operators, many of them newcomers.

Just like telcos, the market is best served by no more than a handful of efficient operators. Many are bound to close shop like the radio taxi companies that could not supply taxis during the rush hour.

Radio taxis would have been popular if all the companies in the market had consolidated and there was only one line for passengers to call.

The attrition rate for both e-hailing operators and drivers will be extremely high in July but great opportunities come with every major crisis. Smart e-hailing operators have already drawn up their strategies but those that haven’t are likely to make some noise just like taxi drivers did in the past.

As for e-hailing drivers, they are bound to complain even though the move will benefit those who are serious.

But not all complaints should be taken seriously as many people seem to be complaining by speaking negatively out of habit even when the going is good.

Full-time e-hailing drivers should stop complaining that they have to put aside a day to attend a course and another day for vehicle inspection as they would be getting more trips and earning higher income from July 12.

For part-time e-hailing drivers, the inconvenience of getting a PSV licence and sending the car for Puspakom inspection annually would be worth the trouble because, with fewer part-timers to compete with, they stand to earn higher incomes.

For sure, many casual e-hailing drivers would drop out after July 12, but their loss would be a gain for those who remain. For those who have not tried out as an e-hailing driver, the second half of this year would be the best time to join the fray. It would be a boom time for those rising to the occasion, whether driving full- or part-time.

As for passengers, they would have more professional drivers at their service. And if e-hailing rates shoot through the roof, as warned by some operators, there is always the option to hail a taxi at regulated fares.

The Transport Ministry should ensure that the services of both taxis and private cars used for picking up fare-paying passengers through e-hailing continue to thrive so that the public is not held to ransom by one or the other.

YS CHAN Kuala Lumpur