Starting next month, mothers-to-be in Kuala Lumpur will no longer have to fret about how to get to the nearest hospital on the onset of labour pains.

This is because a local NGO will be providing 50 taxis which will provide this service free-of-charge for those in need.

“We hear lots of things about taxi drivers bullying passengers and all that, but these are just a minority of drivers.

“Through this campaign, we hope more will see taxi drivers as kind-hearted and concerned citizens,” said Persatuan Pemandu Teksi Makkal Communications Kuala Lumpur chairperson P Gunaseelan.

Soft-launching the free taxi service in Kuala Lumpur today, he said the service will commence on Jan 2 and will serve those heading to Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Ampang.

The aim is to assist those living in low-cost flats and at areas where it is difficult for an ambulance to reach to pick-up the expecting women.

Gunaseelan noted that low-cost flats were often problematic for ambulances because the lack of car park spaces meant that residents' cars were often parked haphazardly.

“If they use our service, the taxis will be there in 20 minutes and it is absolutely free,” he said.

Gunaseelan is also chairperson of the Excise Licensing Board of Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur (ELBKL) .