The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), in consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Transport Ministry, has taken action to get relevant laws amended to regulate e-hailing services.

SPAD, in a statement today, stated that upon finalisation, the proposed amendment would be presented to the cabinet and then tabled to the Parliament for approval.

"We have been advised that this is expected to be concluded by the first quarter of 2017," it said, adding that once the amendments to the law were passed by Parliament, SPAD would implement and regulate the e-hailing system.

The e-hailing application has become the choice for public transport users in the country because it is easier to book, the fare is cheaper and passengers can estimate the fare before travelling.

In implementing the Taxi Industry Transformation Programme, SPAD said it had taken prompt measures for the initiatives which did not require amendments to the law, like the liberalisation of taxi permits to individual drivers under the 'pajak' (leasing) contracting model.

The commission said since Sept 1 this year, it had received 1,600 applications.

"This initiative continues to be well-received by taxi drivers as it provides successful applicants the liberty to decide on the business model that best suits them for better control of their economic destinies," it said. -- Bernama