MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

Kuala Lumpur, Fri - Taxi drivers in the Klang Valley can opt to have a satellite-based tracking system in their vehicles starting January 2003.

The Taxi-Limousine and Rented Cars' Drivers and Operators' Association of Malaysia (Petekma) signed an agreement yesterday with Finnova Corp Sdn Bhd to set up a call centre for the new system, which will use the technology developed by Finland's Benefon.

The technology combines the usage of the global positioning system (GPS) and global system for mobile communication (GSM).

Drivers will need a specially-designed mobile phone to be linked to the service.

Petekma president Yusoff Lahir said the system would enable the call centre to determine a taxi's position better compared to the radio system.

Finnova business adviser Liew Fook Chuan said the system would also help to improve efficiency by shortening the waiting period for customers and less cases of over-charging.

Drivers can choose either to lease the phones or buy them. The mobile phones are priced at RM2,000 to RM2,500 each.

Yusoff said Petekma and Finnova will form a joint venture company to set up and monitor the call centre, which will need an investment of some RM2 million.

Present to witness the signing yesterday was Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board chairman Raja Datuk Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.