Starting today, all taxis registered on the MyTeksi app will charge fares based on meters.
The move complements SPAD’s effort to implement metered fares throughout the country.
MyTeksi also launched the Elite Drivers programme in Penang to provide additional welfare benefits to top taxi drivers

PENANG, December 1, 2015 – MyTeksi, Southeast Asia’s largest on-demand land transport app, today announced that all Penangite taxi drivers registered with the platform have committed to use the meter. From today, MyTeksi drivers will charge the metered fares as set by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD). This initiative is in support of SPAD’s ruling that all taxi drivers in Malaysia must use the meter.

The move is part of the company’s mission to transform the industry to provide safe, reliable and convenient rides while improving the drivers’ well-being, and complements the authority’s mission to regulate the taxi industry.

Loh Ji Yuan, City Manager, MyTeksi Penang said, “Talks about metered taxis in Penang have been ongoing and we have decided to proactively take the lead to move the whole industry towards metered fares. By engaging with our drivers, they recognise the benefits and have committed to only charging based on metered fares. Together, we will change the entrenched culture of fixed fare in Penang. Our goal is to bring about sustainable change that will benefit the industry and the people.”

Loh announced this at 1st Avenue Mall, the first location on the island to be fitted with an internet-enabled tablet that enables shoppers to make a MyTeksi booking.

The announcement was officiated by YB Chow Kon Yeow, Executive Council of the state of Penang as Chairman of the Local Government Committee. “I would like to applaud MyTeksi’s bold step to enforce the usage of metered taxis in their network, which is in line with the government’s ongoing initiative to improve the public transport system in the country,” said YB Chow.

With MyTeksi’s metered taxis in place, both Penang locals and tourists can do away with haggling and will likely pay lower fares compared to the fixed rates, depending on traffic conditions. Taxi drivers also benefit as they do not need to drive around seeking passengers, as the MyTeksi app would efficiently match passenger demand to available taxi drivers, saving them time and fuel.

Launch of Elite Drivers Programme in Penang

MyTeksi also launched their Elite Driver programme in Penang, following the success of the programme in Klang Valley and Johor. Ten local taxi drivers were awarded the Elite Driver status.

Set up by the home-grown start-up to improve taxi drivers’ welfare and reward those who provide the highest service standards, the company is investing a total of RM4.5 million into the Elite Drivers programme. Elite Drivers can receive welfare benefits such as insurance coverage and other financial benefits.

Elite Drivers are identified based on the activeness of the driver on the MyTeksi platform and who have consistently received positive feedback via the in-app rating system, which requires passengers to rate their driver upon completion of each ride.

“All this is part and parcel of our efforts to uplift the industry and the quality of taxi drivers on our platform. While there are sometimes negative reports of the taxi industry, MyTeksi is proud that our taxi drivers provide a good ride experience and MyTeksi wants to acknowledge and reward them for their service,” said Loh.

Abdul Rahim one of the Elite Drivers, has been a taxi driver in Penang for more than 10 years. He said, “It is an honour for me to be an Elite Driver as this indicates the level of satisfaction my customers have in my service. I’m also a believer that using meters in the MyTeksi registered taxis will result in even more bookings, as many passengers may not choose to take taxis due to high fixed fares.”

About MyTeksi

The MyTeksi app is realising the future of transportation in Southeast Asia today. People in Southeast Asia can commute safely everyday – using the app to find taxis, private cars or motorbikes. The MyTeksi app is available in Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. With over 9 million downloads to date of the MyTeksi mobile app around the region, MyTeksi is the market leading third party transportation app in Southeast Asia.

This application can be downloaded on smartphones and tablets with:

iOS: http://bit.ly/grabtaxi-iOS
Android: http://bit.ly/grabtaxi-Android

For more information, please visit: myteksi.com

Media Contact:

Regina Robin
Email: regina.arumugam@grabtaxi.com

Appendix: Metered Fares for Penang (source: SPAD)

1. This does not include surcharges
2. The taxi fares above are only estimated fares based on distance rate. Fares may be higher depending on traffic situation
3. Fares are only applicable to Penang.