Despite an order it cease operations with immediate effect as announced yesterday, the Dego Ride motorcycle taxi service appears to be still available in Kuala Lumpur today.

A check by Bernama found the service was running as usual - at least the one booked by a reporter with the national news agency.

Having booked a trip from Jalan Tun Razak to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), a rider pulled up on a blue motorcyle and handed over a helmet for the trip.

Asked about the halt order for Dego Ride, he said: "I've not received any feedback on this from the operator of the service. So, I just carry on as usual."

He said the service was in high demand as it helped city dwellers to commute around the city easily amid traffic jams.

The one-way fare to KLCC that took a mere seven minutes was RM2.50, while the 15-minute return trip by taxi cost RM15.

Gov't warns of action against Dego

Speaking to reporters today, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai warned Dego Ride not to challenge the laws.

"The Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) will launch undercover operations to arrest those who offer Dego Ride services.

"Our enforcement officers will take stern action. We are against the use of motorcycles to fetch passengers since it creates higher risk for passengers.

"Statistics show that motorcyclists accounted for about 62 percent of fatal road accidents last year," he told reporters after the Transport Ministry's monthly assembly in Putrajaya, today.

Dego Ride violates Section 23 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Sections 16 and 47 of the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) Act and the operators can be prosecuted in court.

Dego Ride founder and chief executive officer, Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj, claimed that there is no legal provision to prevent him from offering the motorcycle taxi service.

Liow said the Transport Ministry plans to introduce mini taxis consisting of cars with 1,000cc or lower to send the commuters from the rail stations to their homes.

"I urge the local residents to form their own mode of transport. They need to register with Spad.

"The ministry is promoting the last mile transportation to improve our public transportation," he added.

- Bernama