Set strict rules for bike e-hailing

ON Nov 27, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the Transport Ministry (MOT) would engage with Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) if companies were to apply to operate motorcycle e-hailing services.

However, if MOT, JPJ and APAD were to use the same old approach in determining whether bike e-hailing services should be allowed in our country, the decision would likely be “no”, rendering the whole exercise a waste of time and opportunity.

Over the years, I have written many letters on this topic, starting with “Road Transport Department should get its priorities right” (The Star, March 5, 2017). This came after three Dego Ride motorcyclists were summoned for providing unauthorised motorcycle taxi service.

Those charged under Section 23 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and found guilty by the court may be fined up to RM10,000, two years’ imprisonment or both.

JPJ also warned Dego Ride operators, numbering over 6,000, that their motorcycles could also be impounded should they continue.

Earlier in November 2016, Dego Ride introduced an e-hailing app for motorcycles at RM2.50 for the first 3km and 60sen for each subsequent kilometre.

On Feb 13, 2017, Dego Ride notified its 6,000 motorcyclists that it had stopped operating following a directive from MOT.

In August 2019, the Cabinet gave the green-light for motorcycle e-hailing services to be implemented in the country following a meeting between then youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Go-Jek founder Nadiem Makarim with then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In January 2020, a six-month pilot project for bike e-hailing kicked off. In November 2021, Syed Saddiq urged the then deputy transport minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong to present the six-month data on accidents involving the e-hailing sector instead of making general assumptions.

This came after Henry said the government was against introducing motorcycle e-hailing services due to the number of road fatalities involving motorcyclists based on the 2019 statistics that 64% or 3,900 deaths in road accidents involved motorcycles.

In February 2017, I proposed fitting video cameras in front of crash helmets and at the rear of e-hailing bikes to record transgressions of other vehicles, including motorcycles. The recordings can then be forwarded to JPJ, if required, for investigations.

E-hailing riders can be paid for the many traffic offences captured on camera that warrant summonses to be issued.

This way, many motorists and motorcyclists would be at their best when spotting an e-hailing rider in front or behind.

Likewise, e-hailing riders will be forced to ride safely and not zip around like some food delivery riders.

Motorcycles licensed to provide bike e-hailing trips should be fitted with the word ‘Teksi’ in black on a white round plate on both the front and rear ends to be easily spotted.

As e-hailing riders could face suspension if customers riding pillion were to complain that they were reckless, they are bound to behave.

Such monitoring has proven to be effective with e-hailing drivers, unlike unmonitored taxi drivers who could be reckless or try to overcharge.

If we wish to ban motorcycle taxi services, we can easily find many reasons and statistics to justify it.

Compassion is also needed to make good use of available technology. Treating all motorcyclists with scorn will just be continuing the status quo.

But if we wish to allow it, we can set the rules and regulations to make it as safe as anyone riding pillion today.

Sadly, the authorities have always preferred the easier path by banning anything difficult to manage, as allowing it requires hard work.

The decision will indicate whether our country will be making progress or remain stagnant.

With motorcycle taxis providing first and last-mile connectivity for commuters, countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have seen a steep rise in productivity and economic activities.

Allowing motorcycle e-hailing services in Malaysia using measures that I had proposed more than seven years ago would also make our streets safer and road accidents fewer for all vehicles, including motorcycles. It may be now or never.

YS CHAN

Kuala Lumpur