The motorcycle taxi service company ‘Dego Ride’ is given seven days to meet the Transport Ministry concerning its services, said its minister, Liow Tiong Lai.

However, he stressed the ministry was resolute with its decision to ban the service based on the issue of passenger safety.

“There is no grey area in this Dego Ride ban. It is very clear cut. The government and the ministry have made the decision to ban this service as it is hazardous to passengers.

“The ministry has directed the Road Transport Department (RTD) to summon the company to give their explanation and their side of the story,” he told reporters after a ground-breaking ceremony for the Air Traffic Control Centre Complex (KL ATCC) in Sepang today.

He said this when asked on the request of Dego Ride founder and chief executive officer, Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj, to be given the chance to debate the issue of the motorcycle taxi service, which was implemented in November.

Yesterday, Liow said the Dego Ride service flouted Section 23 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Sections 16 and 17 of the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) and its owner could be charged in court.

He said although the use of motorcycles could avoid traffic congestion but it could also bring harm, because, based on statistics, motorcyclists accounted for 62 percent of fatal accidents last year.

- Bernama