According to The Star Online, a new taxi-hailing application known as “MesraCab” is set to be launched in February 2016.
The mobile app, which was said to have “developed wholly by taxi drivers”, aims to counter the growth of popular ride-sharing appas such as Uber and GrabCar.
This report came almost 2 weeks after the Land Public Transport Commission’s (SPAD) introduced “MeterOn“, a mobile application which promises to “keep taxi journeys safe”.
Little is known about the people behind MesraCab, but the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Application Taxi Drivers Association (Pertapps) is apparently helping to push the development of the app. They have been working to get taxi drivers to register for the programme.
Pertapps is also the latest taxi driver association to protest against ride-sharing apps, with PERS1M and PETEKMA began protesting since 4 months ago. However, it doesn’t matter seem like the associations are linked to each other.
Pertapps secretary Apriman Darlis told The Star Online that only metered taxis that have been approved by SPAD will be used for the app.
He said this after over 100 taxi drivers showed up in Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara to register as the app’s drivers. However, those who turned up at the event were told to register with one of the 23 associations, supposedly for the Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee to better “regulate the industry”. Only then, would they be allowed to be MesraCab drivers.
Unlike other ride-sharing apps, MesraCab will apparently allow users to choose the cab they would want to travel in after seeing them on the map. In fact, a RM2 booking fee will be charged for a successful hail.
What do you think of this new taxi-hailing app? Would you use it? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.
Source: The Star Online via Lowyat.
