THE e-hailing app for taxis is now available in Penang.
The ‘cALLme CAB’ app, was the result of a collaboration between the National Malaysian Co-operative (Angkasa) Penang and Penang Taxi Associate Association (Gabungan).
Penang Angkasa liaison committee chairman Mohd Jamil Othman hoped that taxi drivers could be more competitive with the mobile app.
“We first launched the app at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). However, the service is now temporarily unavailable pending further discussion between the relevant parties involved,” he said.
He added that Penang was now the only state which offers the ‘cALLme CAB’ app to the public.
Gabungan president Mohamad Shahimi Hadzri urged the taxi drivers to provide better services to their customers.
“We have to gain public confidence and evolve with technology advancement,” he said.
Mohamad Shahimi also welcomed the public to install the ‘cALLme CAB’ app.
Mohamad Shahimi thanked the state government for their continuous support.
“The Penang government has been very supportive to the taxi drivers and we are truly grateful,” he said.
He said there were now 500 Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licensed taxi drivers with permit who registered with the ‘cALLme CAB’ app.
He said there were over 2,000 taxi drivers in Penang.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Angkasa, Gabungan and taxi drivers in Penang have turned a ‘crisis into an opportunity’ through digital transformation.
“The app will provide extra advantage for taxi drivers.
“Taxis are subjected to regulations set by the ministry. The vehicles have to undergo inspection regularly and they are licensed,” Chow said.
He said taxi drivers now have the option to choose whether to continue their ‘traditional’ way of providing services, or embrace the digital technology and move forward.
“Consumers want a system that is transparent. They dislike having to bargain the fare whenever they call for a taxi.
“Now you have provided the consumers with the app that allows them to view the fare before they request it. That is what the consumers want,” Chow said.
The public can download the ‘cALLme CAB’ app for free from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Chan Kok Kuan