Cabbies group wants PSV rule to apply as motorcycle e-hailing service relaunched

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman takes a ride with Dego Ride, a motorcycle e-hailing service targeted at the lower income group. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A taxi association has urged the government to make it mandatory for riders of Malaysia’s first motorcycle e-hailing service, Dego Ride, to get a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.

Gabungan Teksi SeMalaysia (GTSM) president Kamaruddin Mohd Hussain said riders of the service should be subjected to the same criteria set by the transport ministry for other e-hailing services such as Grab.

“We are not opposed to any launching or introduction of e-hailing services.

“Dego Ride is also included in the e-hailing concept. They will provide a public transport service and if they are taking on passengers, they must have a PSV licence.

“On top of that, the motorcycles used should also go through initial and periodic safety checks.

“This will prove that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government enforces the law fairly across all levels,” he told FMT.

The PSV e-hailing licence allows the holder to drive public transport vehicles, such as taxis, and to pick up passengers.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said earlier today that about 5,000 job opportunities would be created for the B40 low-income youths with the relaunch of Malaysia’s first motorcycle e-hailing service Dego Ride.

Speaking to reporters after the relaunch, he said he hoped the company would grow to be on a par with other e-hailing giants, such as Grab and Indonesia’s Gojek.

Dego Ride founder Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj said as of today, 4,000 had applied to become riders. Of these, 100 are women.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin said there should be a level playing field for all operators.

“Even though it indirectly affects the income of taxi drivers, we still accept it. It’s just that the implementation must be fair.

“Make sure there are no parties with agendas thinking only of their own pockets,” he said.

In 2017, the previous government banned the Dego Ride motorcycle taxi service over safety concerns.

Last year, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook had said Putrajaya did not intend to legalise motorcycle ride-hailing services due to these safety concerns.

The ministry said the likelihood of motorcyclists being involved in fatal accidents was 42.5 times higher than that of those travelling on buses and 16 times higher than those in cars.

However, the Cabinet last August agreed to introduce motorcycle ride-hailing services in Malaysia. - FMT