JOHOR BARU: Taxi drivers are hoping for a standardised fare structure to engage in healthier competition with e-hailing services.

       Taman Desa Jaya United Taxi Club secretary Ismail Mohammad said in the past seven years, cabbies’ incomes have been badly affected by the presence of e-hailing services and even more so after the Covid-19 pandemic border closure.

       “We were able to earn about RM100 to RM200, but it is difficult to make RM50 a day now.

       “We are not against e-hailing, but we hope there is a standardised fare structure as taxi charges are double that of the e-hailing,” he said following a meeting with Puteri Wangsa state seat candidate Amira Aisya Abd Aziz at a food court in Taman Desa Cemerlang here yesterday.

       Taman Desa Cemerlang Taxi Drivers’ Welfare Association secretary, who only wanted to be known as Moon, said the number of taxi passengers has dropped by at least 70% over the years.

       He said drivers earn less than RM10 per trip, which was insufficient to cover their time and expenses.

       “We previously raised the fare structure issue with the state government, Johor Public Transport Corporation, Land Transport Public Transport Agency and Transport Ministry, but it was not resolved.

       “There used to be about 10,000 taxis in the Johor Baru area seven years ago. Today, only half of them are left as many have switched to e-hailing or to pursue other work due to the pandemic,” said the taxi driver with 10 years of experience.

       Another taxi driver, Hussin Mohammad, 46, said his income is inconsistent. At times, he brought home only RM12 after waiting for passengers for hours.

       “It is tough as I still have to service my house and car loans and feed my family,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Amira Aisya, a Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) candidate, said the taxi drivers’ plight should not be sidelined as developments and technology advance.

       “They do not oppose e-hailing services and merely want a better fare structure so that both the taxi and e-hailing services can compete and sustain side by side.

       “Other than asking for the government to review the existing public transport policies, I will also study the problem and meet with e-hailing companies before proposing to the government,” she said.

       Amira Aisya is in a six-cornered fight for the Puteri Wangsa state seat in the Johor election set for March 12.