Cabbies stage demo at KK airport, want exclusive rights to transport passengers

KOTA KINABALU: Taxi drivers staged a peaceful demonstration on Saturday (Nov 17) morning, calling on the state government to grant them exclusive rights to transport passengers from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).

KKIA Limousine and Taxi Association president Shamsuddin Mohd Shah said it was getting increasingly difficult for cabbies to earn a living amid competition from e-hailing operators such as Grab.

"Previously, taxi drivers were able to make six trips on a daily basis. Now, we only make one trip per day. How can we survive like this?

"We have been suffering for the past two years. We even had to close down our taxi booth and let go six of 12 employees because we could no longer afford their salaries.

"We ask that the state government and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal help us airport cabbies. We are the rakyat too," he told reporters at KKIA.

Shamsuddin claimed that the association had engaged in several discussions with Grab and Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licencing Board (LPKP) over the past few months, and that a decision had been made for cabbies to become the airport's primary transport providers.

"Seven months ago, we had a few meetings with LPKP and Grab. We even met with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD). In the various discussions and workshops, they approved giving us exclusive rights to transport passengers.

"They said that Grab drivers would not be allowed to pick up passengers from the airport, and we even agreed on the rates (for taxi drivers). But until today, these have not been enforced.

"Grab drivers do not follow instructions and park at the airport while waiting for bookings from passengers. They can leave anytime they get booked, while taxis can only leave once at a time (in order of bookings made)," he claimed.

Shamsuddin said the taxi drivers are ready to be inducted into the e-hailing system, provided that they are granted the exclusive rights they are asking for.

"Yes, we are prepared to join any e-hailing app.

"If they (passengers) want a cheap fare, we hope that e-hailing operators will also give exclusive rights to us and not private vehicle drivers to transport them," he added.- Star