'Maybe the minister is busy' - GTSM urges discussion on taxi quality improvement
SHAH ALAM - Gabungan Teksi Malaysia (GTSM) is urging the Transport Ministry to conduct open discussions with key industry players to improve the nation's taxi service quality.
Its president Kamarudin Hussain said by having an engagement session with stakeholders it will indirectly find the best solutions towards the industry’s issues especially those affecting taxi drivers.
Kamarudin explained he welcomed the suggestion by the Transport Ministry to reopen the taxi and rental car or company rented cars licensing application.
However, he said the matter should be discussed thoroughly first.
“We are disappointed with the Transport Minister’s (Anthony Loke) attitude of not opening the doors towards negotiation with us even though we have sent multiple letters to hold a discussion session to improve our nation’s taxi services.
“We continue to think positively towards him, maybe the minister is busy,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Last week, Anthony was reported stating that the government will reopen the taxi and company rented car license application in efforts to increase public transport quality.
He said the purpose was to provide job opportunities to those who were not capable of purchasing their own vehicles.
Kamarudin explained the issue of modern colonialism and the oppression of drivers that continues to occur to this day.
"The minister and the ministry needs to solve the issue of taxi drivers welfare," he said while adding that taxi drivers and the taxi industry have been plagued with issues for a very long time.
“The decision is in the hands of the minister, does he really want to preserve the taxi industry or the other way around?
" If he truly wantz to preserve and improve the taxi industry we are prepared to give our support and aid,” he said.
