RM7,000 income target realistic for taxi drivers

The National Taxi Renewal Program in Malaysia offers a realistic pathway for taxi drivers to achieve a net monthly income between RM5,000 and RM7,000, according to Kamarudin Mohd. Hussain, President of the Malaysian Taxi Association. He stated that this income target is attainable, contingent on drivers' commitment to transformation, service quality improvement, and leveraging government-provided opportunities.

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We are now intensifying efforts to secure more strategic operating locations such as at airports, passenger jetties and tourist hotspots so that drivers get access to a more stable market.

Kamarudin highlighted efforts to secure more strategic operating locations, such as airports and tourist hubs, to ensure drivers have access to a more stable market. He also noted the competitive financing packages for the Proton S70 model, with estimated daily rental payments potentially reduced to around RM40, a substantial decrease from the RM160 daily rates under the old rental system.

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The Proton S70 financing package offer is competitive with an estimated daily rental payment that can be reduced to around RM40 per day compared to the old rental system which reached RM160 per day.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the program, which allows taxi drivers to switch to the Proton S70 with easier financing. This aims to lower vehicle ownership and permit costs, eliminating the need for lease payments. Kamarudin described the program as a "paradigm shift" capable of modernizing the nation's taxi industry comprehensively.

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This program can be described as a paradigm shift that is capable of modernizing the country's taxi industry comprehensively and holistically.

Prof. Dr. Law Teik Hua, a road safety expert from Universiti Putra Malaysia, views the reform initiative as part of a broader public transport modernization process. He emphasized the importance of taxi services providing customer experiences comparable to or complementing e-hailing services. The transition to owning vehicles and permits is expected to positively impact driver welfare, allowing them to build assets through monthly payments rather than rental schemes that offered no long-term equity.

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The ability of taxi companies or drivers to provide a customer experience that is equivalent to or complements e-hailing services is important to assess.