A new e-hailing app “caLLme” allows passengers to hail taxi drivers at airports.
It is a collaboration between the Malaysian National Cooperatives Movement (Angkasa) and Malaysian Taxi Drivers, Limousine and Car Rental Operators Association (Petekma), caLLme is to help taxi operators and cooperatives in the country.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who launched the app at the KL International Airport, said it wanted to help taxi drivers modernise so that they could compete with other parties.
While those unhappy with government policies had the right to voice their dissatisfaction, he said it was not the Pakatan Harapan government’s intention to victimise taxi drivers.
“But we need to face reality. If we want to improve the taxi industry, we need to upgrade with the use of modern technology,” he said.
Loke, who successfully booked a taxi via caLLme, said e-hailing platforms provided many challenges to the industry’s traditional way of business.
“We have 70,000 registered taxis, with 60% of these owned by companies. Many drivers are retirees depending on their daily earnings to support themselves and their families,” he said.
Petekma chairman Mohd Syahrir Abd Aziz said caLLme would begin operations in KLIA and klia2 before expanding to major urban centres.
“It’s specially for registered taxis,” said Mohd Syahrir, adding that Langkawi would be the next destination.
