SPAD looking at providing the same platform for Uber, GrabCar and taxis

PETALING JAYA: The public transport sector is set for a free-for-all with e-hailing services such as Uber and GrabCar, and regular taxi services competing on equal terms. The only questions is – how?

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar says Uber and GrabCar will be regulated soon so there will be a level playing field.

However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Ting Lai says they will de-regulate taxis so they can compete on the same terms.

Speaking after launching a short video competition at Wisma MCA, Liow said SPAD had presented papers to his ministry and they were looking at providing the same platform for Uber, GrabCar and taxis.

“We are going to deregulate taxis, that means there will be fewer restrictions and regulations like the PSV (public service vehicle licence).

“As the Transport Minister, I will empower SPAD to deregulate the requirements for taxis and drivers.”

To a question about the Cabinet’s approval to regulate GrabCar and Uber, Liow said certain details still need to be looked at by SPAD.

Syed Hamid, when contacted, said while it was true that Uber and GrabCar would be regulated, SPAD would give a full press conference about the Cabinet decision in a few days.

He added that the Cabinet’s decision was part of the transformation programme for public transportation.

Syed Hamid said the regulation of the e-hailing apps would create a more level playing field for the taxis and e-hailing public transportation services.

“There will be new laws and rules to regulate every player,” he added.

An English daily had reported on Thursday that the Uber and GrabCar services are to be legalised soon.

The report said the decision was reached after SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah presented 11 initiatives at the Cabinet on Wednesday to overhaul the conventional taxi industry and expand transport services by legalising Uber and GrabCar services.

It reported that the Cabinet was also satisfied with the move to provide individual taxi permits to conventional taxi drivers who have good and clean track records.

There are around 77,000 registered taxi drivers in the country.

It further said that amendments to laws to legalise Uber and GrabCar are expected to be done at the Parliament meeting in November.

Leigh Wong, who is Uber’s head of communications (Singapore and Malaysia), said they had read reports about Cabinet giving its approval to SPAD to enact regulations for ride-sharing.

“We look forward to the full details from SPAD. We are excited about the prospects of ride-sharing for riders, drivers and Malaysia,” Wong said.

Grab Malaysia country head Jaygan Fu said the company was “pleased and welcomes” the Cabinet’s approval to regulate e-hailing services.

The announcement, he said, was a testament of the Government’s commitment to support and include innovative solutions to resolve the transportation woes in the country.

Fu added that GrabCar, formerly known as MyTeksi, looked forward to working closely and having dialogue with the authorities to understand the proposed amendments to the current regulations.