Transport minister gives thumbs-up to motorcycle ride-hailing services
Transport Minister Anthony Loke hopped on motorcycle ride-sharing services, Dego Ride, to the Pasar Seni LRT Station today.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke hopped on motorcycle ride-sharing services, Dego Ride, to the Pasar Seni LRT Station today.
Journalists were yesterday told that Loke would have a press conference on motorcycle ride-sharing services at Pasar Seni LRT Station but did not know that Loke would arrive by Dego Ride.
Loke said he had conducted the spot check as he wanted to make sure the initiative was safe for passengers.
"I did not inform Dego Ride. The rider did not know who he was carrying. This spot check was carried out to see whether they complied with safety regulations. I waited 15 minutes after ordering the service on the app," he said.
The rider initially noticed the media troop and decided a stop some distance away. He was, however, prompted to move forward and left Loke near the group of journalists.
Loke then alighted from the motorcycle, shook the rider's hand and paid him.
The rider, who looked lost at to what was happening, merely smiled throughout.
Loke, who had travelled from the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, said he was satisfied with the safety measures taken by the rider.
"This service is still at its early stages and there are not many motorcycles using the service yet. The ride took 10 minutes and he provided a helmet. The speed was moderate in traffic.
"The rider also obeyed the traffic lights and did not speed. This is a good sign and I hope this continues. My advice is for them to obey all safety rules.
"We will monitor from time to time," he said.
Loke said more spot checks will be conducted on other service providers.
Dego Ride commenced services this year and another ride-hailing service provider, Grab, also begun rolling out their motorcycle ride-sharing services.
Loke admitted that he was not in favour of the motorcycle ride-sharing services previously.
"We did not agree due to safety concerns but a decision was made by the cabinet," he said.
"That is why I am complying with the cabinet's decision as the minister in charge of implementation. While we comply with the decision, we also want to ensure all safety measures are complied with," Loke added.
The cabinet agreed to allow motorcycle ride-sharing services after a push from Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who argued that it could provide job opportunities for the youth.
On a separate matter, Loke said the authorities have yet to receive an application to revive Rayani Air.
This is after the company's former chief executive officer said he wanted to revive the company with a "new image".
"I'm not aware of any application from Rayani Air. As usual, they will need to get approvals from the regulators," he said.
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