KUALA LUMPUR: A study to determine if e-hailing fares should be regulated will be completed within the next five months, says Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
The Deputy Transport Minister said there is currently no provisions under the current licensing regime to set any minimum fare or floor price for e-hailing drivers.
“However, the government, through the e-hailing services guidelines 2018, fixed the ceiling for commission to be charged on taxis, car rental and luxury taxis drivers at 10%.
“Whereas for private car owners providing e-hailing, the commission is not more than 20% of the fare,” he said when wrapping up his ministerial replies when debating the Suhakam 2023 Report in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said that there is no minimum fare or floor price because the industry is based on a open market gig economy model.
Nevertheless, Hasbi said the ministry is ready to look at supervising e-hailing fares if it is feasible.
“This will be based on the findings and recommendations of the Land Public Transport Strategic Plan for the Klang Valley, which is expected to be completed this December,” he said.
Last December, a group of 1,200 e-hailing drivers submitted a memorandum to the government seeking a minimum fare to be imposed to boost their income.
They said that existing fare structure failed to adequately compensate drivers, resulting in their services becoming unsustainable.
At one point, it was said that up to 10 e-hailing drivers quit daily due to the price war between service providers, which results in lower income for the drivers.
