Liow tells Dego Ride operator not to challenge the law

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has warned motorcycle taxi service operator Dego Ride not to challenge the laws of this country.

"The Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will launch undercover operations to arrest those who offer Dego Ride services.

"Our enforcement officers will take stern action. We are against the use of motorcycles to fetch passengers since it creates higher risk for passengers.

"Statistics show that motorcyclists accounted for about 62 percent of fatal road accidents last year," he told reporters after the Ministry of Transport's (MOT) monthly assembly here, Monday.

Dego Ride violates Section 23 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Sections 16 and 47 of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) Act and the operators can be prosecuted in court.

Dego Ride founder and chief executive officer, Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj claimed that there is no legal provision to prevent him from offering the motorcycle taxi service.

Liow said the MOT plans to introduce mini taxis consisting of cars with 1,000 c.c or lower to send the commuters from the rail stations to their homes.

"I urge the local residents to form their own mode of transport. They need to register with SPAD.

"The ministry is promoting the last mile transportation to improve our public transportation," he added. --Bernama