Will taxis suffer 40% dive in earnings come Chinese New Year?

That's what happened over Christmas and New Year, never mind competition from Uber and GrabCar, says major taxi operator as Chinese New Year comes around the corner.

PETALING JAYA: Taxi drivers are dreading the next festive weekend because going by the past two holidays, they may not fare well.

The founder of Big Blue Taxi Services, Shamsubahrin Ismail, told FMT that based on his research, the drivers’ earnings during festive seasons last year dropped by 40% compared to the average in past years.

“I have the data. We can monitor every trip from KLCC and what I noticed during Christmas and New Year celebrations was the decline in tourists’ presence.

“Which meant that there weren’t as many tourists in popular spots such as KLCC, compared to past years. I believe the tourism ministry has failed to play its part,” he said.

Traditional taxi companies have already been facing still competition from upstart rivals like Uber and GrabCar.

Come Chinese New Year two weekends from now, a lot of the ordinary people who drive taxis for the new car riding companies may take a break to be with their families — but so do the Chinese taxi drivers.

So the real issue for taxi drivers this coming weekend will be what’s going to be in their Ang Pow?

“After Chinese New Year, they will work non-stop until the next year,” Shamsubahrin told FMT. ---FMT