Taxi drivers have begun taking the law into their own hands. Or at least they seem to think they are. These drivers have begun arresting Uber and GrabCar drivers who stop around the KLCC area. They claim to have arrested seven drivers over the last two days.
Big Blue Taxi Service boss Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail has said that his drivers had begun arresting ride-sharing drivers. During a press conference, he informed the press that three of the seven caught drivers were handed over to the police. It is unknown whether the three have been charged; or whether the police still have them in custody.
Some 100 taxi drivers around KLCC have been said to have participated in the operations against ride-sharing. This is because, as Shamsubahrin claims, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) was not effective in stopping Uber or GrabCar.
“Uber, GrabCar, they’re not afraid of SPAD…Taxi drivers have lost respect for SPAD,” he said.
This latest move from taxi drivers follows from escalating protests against ride-sharing. Last week, a GrabCar driver fell into a trap set by the cabbies. It is unknown what happened to the unidentified driver. A series of videos of taxi drivers harassing ride-sharing drivers has also appeared on social media.
SPAD has not actually banned Uber or GrabCar, instead saying that drivers working for these services require a Public Service Vehicle license to operate legally. The Commission has not yet come to a decision on what to do with ride-sharing services, but it looks like taxi drivers have already made up their minds.
[Source: The Star]
