Budget 2018 will include a RM5,000 grant for taxi drivers looking to switch to e-hailing services. This comes as the government looks to embrace the next industrial revolution, and provide cabbies with any opportunity to purchase the necessary vehicles.
Including this grant is not entirely surprising. The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) had included this as part of its 11-part plan to legalise e-hailing and level the playing field for taxi drivers. The grant is seen as a significant step as many taxis are rented from companies, leaving most drivers without their own vehicles for the purpose of e-hailing.
Parliament amended the Land Public Transport Act and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act to allow e-hailing services to operate in Malaysia. However, there are still some regulatory matters that have not yet been resolved; with SPAD still yet to finish implementing parts of its plans.
