PETALING JAYA: More than 80% of eligible taxi and hire-car drivers are expected to receive their one-off RM1,000 financial assistance before Deepavali, says the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
Apad said the payment process was being carried out in stages through several methods to ensure that the assistance reaches eligible recipients smoothly.
"Based on records of driver cards that remained active as of Sept 30, a total of 15,062 taxi and hire car drivers have been identified and registered to receive the assistance.
"Of the total, 2,619 drivers have received the assistance through Bank Simpanan Nasional cash vouchers between Oct 14 and Nov 2.
"These involved drivers who were invited to attend aid distribution ceremonies in Putrajaya, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Kedah," it said in a statement on Friday (Nov 6).
Apad said payments to another 12,033 drivers began on Wednesday (Nov 4) through direct bank transfers using account details registered under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah programme, as well as over-the-counter cash payments.
"Drivers can check their payment status through their respective bank accounts or the Special Financial Assistance Portal at bantuanpemandu.mot.gov.my.
"More than 80% of taxi and hire car drivers are expected to receive the RM1,000 assistance before Deepavali," it said.
The agency added that payments to drivers who renewed their driver cards between Oct 1 and Oct 25 are expected to begin on Nov 11.
"The updating and verification of their information is currently underway. Payments will be made through direct bank transfers or over-the-counter cash payments once the process is completed.
"Drivers in this category can also check their payment status through the portal beginning Nov 11," it said.
As for school bus drivers, Apad said payments to about 7,228 eligible recipients are expected to be made soon through direct bank transfers.
It said the financial assistance portal was closed on Oct 30 to allow for data verification.
"Drivers or companies can check the eligibility status of registered drivers through the portal beginning the second week of November," it said.
Apad added that it would continue coordinating with relevant parties to ensure that the assistance reaches all eligible recipients.
During the tabling of Budget 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a one-off RM1,000 payment for each of the 38,000 taxi and hire car drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers nationwide.
