Cabbies get private permits and cheaper Exora

PUTRAJAYA: Taxi drivers who receive new individual permits can look forward to having their own vehicles under a special rebate scheme by the Government for a new purpose-built Proton Exora.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this was part of the Government's move to make good on its promise to issue 1,000 individual licences to taxi drivers, besides encouraging the development of a more efficient public transportation system.

“For every taxi driver given an individual licence, I think we should make it compulsory for them to buy an Exora through Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, which will give a RM5,000 grant for each new taxi.

“This means the price for a new Exora will go down from RM64,000 to RM59,000,” he said to cheers from some 6,000 taxi drivers present at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre to witness the presentation of the first batch of 200 individual licences to new driver-owners.

Najib said the scheme would not only include a new car that is factory outfitted with an NGV tank, but also comprehensive insurance coverage to provide taxi drivers with better protection.


He also announced the extension of the Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia (TR1Ma) tyre subsidy programme, now dubbed TR1Ma 2.0, for all taxis and rental cars in the country.

Najib, however, noted that taxi drivers needed to commit to a pledge to improve their services while the Government worked on delivering its promises to help them.

One-derful news: Najib and taxi drivers making the ‘No. 1’ gesture to symbolise 1Malaysia at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

 

“We must look out for the welfare of taxi drivers so they can have a dignified profession, are able to support their families and look forward to a better future but we must make sure that the people get a taxi service that is world-class.

“Can you (the taxi driver) be courteous? Can you be honest?

“And also don't forget the contributions of the Government when the time comes,” he said with a smile, in an apparent hint to the coming general election.

In a press conference, Land Public Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said they were finalising details for TR1Ma, in which a second round of vouchers would be issued to 76,000 taxi drivers, who would be given the RM520 subsidy to change four tyres.

(Source: The Star Online)