New app for airport cabbies

Smarter option: Anis Munirah Mazalan using the ‘caLLme’ interface on a tablet.

SEPANG: Taxi drivers waiting for passengers at airports can now join the e-hailing platform with the launch of “caLLme” app.

It is the latest in the country’s e-hailing apps, of which Grab is currently the biggest player.

A collaboration between the Malaysian National Cooperatives Movement (Angkasa) and Malaysian Taxi Drivers, Limousine and Car Rental Operators Association (Petekma), caLLme is to help taxi operators and cooperatives in the country.

Angkasa president Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah said it was necessary to help their target industry in light of competition from larger competitors with deeper pockets.

Angkasa, he added, would provide training for both the drivers and operators to benefit from the new technology.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who launched the app at the KL International Airport, said it wanted to help taxi drivers modernise so that they could compete with other parties.

Referring to the past protests staged by taxi drivers against e-hailing platforms, Loke said it was better to give focus and time on increasing the industry’s competitiveness.

While those unhappy with government policies had the right to voice their dissatisfaction, he said it was not the Pakatan Harapan government’s intention to victimise taxi drivers.

“But we need to face reality. If we want to improve the taxi industry, we need to upgrade with the use of modern technology,” he said.

Loke, who successfully booked a taxi via caLLme, said e-hailing platforms provided many challenges to the industry’s traditional way of business.

“We have 70,000 registered taxis, with 60% of these owned by companies. Many drivers are retirees depending on their daily earnings to support themselves and their families,” he said.

Petekma chairman Mohd Syahrir Abd Aziz said caLLme would start in KLIA and klia2 before expanding to major urban centres.

“It’s specially for registered taxis,” said Mohd Syahrir, adding that the next place would be in Langkawi.