A Singapore based ridesharing company recently announced that it has officially launched its 6 months pilot programme for motorcycle drivers in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Singapore’s leading ride-hailing app is promoting safety by leveraging on many of its already inbuilt features which include passenger selfie verification, safety centre, and driver safety toolkits, into its system in order to promote security. Since after dark hours from 9 pm to 2 am is not seen as safe in the country, the service will be blocked during then.
Apart from that, the company has also declared that it will be offering safety training lessons and practical riding assessments to its drivers, for safety is one of its prime concerns.
According to the press release statement, the major objective of the pilot is also to evaluate the feasibility and cultural fit of bike-hailing in a local context.
The programme has already been commenced since 3 January 2020 and is collaborating with the government on gathering data and evaluating demand for the service, while working on drafting legislation to govern bike-hailing according to the Minister of Transport.
It was noted that safety continues to be the company’s main priority. All the firm’s motorcycles are equipped with helmets for driver-partners and passengers, as well as reflective jackets for drivers.
In addition, both drivers and passengers are covered by personal accident insurance.
Another ride-sharing firm has reportedly also affirmed its plans of bringing in the same service to Klang Valley on January 2020 and has already received approval from the Malaysian Cabinet.
The advent of new and potentially game-changing technologies such as ride-sharing platforms, e-commerce, the Internet of Things and autonomous vehicles is set to revolutionise the nations’ transport sector, a report from October 2019 notes.
The country’s Transport Minister stated that these new technologies were being introduced at an increasingly rapid pace.
He noted that the aims are to encourage appropriate investment into areas such as infrastructure and improve regulatory frameworks to position Malaysia not only as a regional distribution hub, but also to ensure that the transport sector’s growth is inclusive and accessible to all rakyat.
The National Transport Policy 2019-2030 (NTP), which was unveiled in October 2019, would be the single governing framework to provide clarity to the private sector as the engine of growth as well as government agencies.
It is formulated with five key policy thrusts, with specific strategies to address the needs of the rakyat including rural and disadvantaged groups, the geographical differences in Sabah and Sarawak and the industry.
Leaders are confident that the NTP 2019-2030 will help propel the nation in its logistic endeavours with enhancements in the road, rail, air and maritime sectors, and their interconnectivity to help Malaysia realise its target as a Regional Distribution Hub.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Transport stated that the NTP 2019-2030 vision was anchored on the principle of sustainable transport.
It allows consolidation and streamlining of initiatives towards a common goal thus contributing towards efficient use of resources, as well as addressing bottlenecks that hamper the growth in the transport sector.
It is also in line with the present focus towards the environment, a specific thrust has been formulated in the document that not only ensures that environmental aspects are addressed, but it will also contribute positively towards safety.
More efficient services would not only enhance the profitability to operators but would also increase users’ affordability.
