Woman cabbie not keen to grab new loan
BUTTERWORTH: M. Magais cannot bear the idea of taking another car loan just for switching from being a taxi driver to a Grab driver.
The 55-year-old single mother said she had already taken a loan to buy her current taxi after leaving her company via a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) about 10 years ago.
“There were other costs that came with buying my current taxi.
“I have settled the loan but some suggest that I should take up another car loan and become a Grab driver instead.
“But at my age now, it’s hard for me,” she said.
According to the FAQs section on the Grab website, the criteria for becoming a Grabcar driver is to have a Malaysian IC with a valid driving licence.
The driver’s car must also be in a good condition, preferably six years or newer.
Magais said she had to work as a taxi driver after the VSS to raise her children.
“I have been a taxi driver from the time I was in my 40s.
“It was an unexpected career change then but it allowed me to earn money and to take care of my children.
“It’s unfortunate that taxi drivers are having a hard time competing with Grab drivers,” she said.
Magais, who was spotted with another taxi driver, S. Anitas, 44, were among 100 taxi and rental car drivers who called for reforms in the taxi industry during a peaceful protest at the Dewan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi field in Bagan Luar yesterday.
Persatuan Teksi dan Kereta Sewa Penang Sentral secretary C. Supramaniam claimed that taxi and rental car drivers were financially affected due to Grab.
It’s unfortunate that taxi drivers are having a hard time competing g with Grab drivers. M. Magais
He alleged that the situation in Butterworth had been dire since the introduction of e-hailing apps on the mainland three years ago.
He urged the Transport Minister to look into the issue urgently.
The 71-year-old said he was now making only two trips a day, which earned him RM30 to RM40 compared to the RM80 to RM100 before e-hailing services came into the picture.
“After waiting for seven hours, we sometimes get one or two trips. This amount is not enough to support my family,” he said.
Those at the event wore yellow shirts with the hashtag
#reformasiteksi, while holding placards.
They also handed over a memorandum to M. Anabalgan, who is an aide to Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees.