SPAD has no power to stop Dego Ride service

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has no power to halt the services rendered by the motorcycle taxi provider Dego Ride which are increasingly popular as there is no legal provision to act on it.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said, however, the operator should be prepared to face legal action for operating without a license.

"I like the creativity; they said that the motorcycle taxi is for low-income groups and the idea came from young people too.

"However, motorcycle is not included in the list of vehicles which are allowed to carry passengers for a fee, it is not in the list of public transport," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the launch of the Integrated Transport Terminal Complex construction works here, Monday.

The ceremony was officiated by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.

Syed Hamid said the issues involving the security and insurance cover for passengers have to be of priority.

"For SPAD, to enforce the rules is also difficult because there are 13 million motorcycles in the country and we cannot stop every motorcycle and ask whether the pillion riders are fare-paying passengers or not," he said.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai warned Dego Ride service provider not to challenge the law and operate without a license.