MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: The Star

And the city’s 100-strong high-tech cabbies will make money doing it all as participants of the Government’s "Smart Taxipreneur" pilot project, which was launched by Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz on Monday.

"The project will transform them into knowledgeable taxi drivers who can provide the best service while increasing their income," he said in his speech at the launch.

The one-year project involves taxi drivers from two companies, CabCharge (M) Sdn Bhd and Destination Transport Sdn Bhd, which operate primarily in the city centre and surrounding high-traffic shopping and commercial areas.

Besides generating more income, having technology-wielding drivers would also help to enhance the standing of taxi drivers in general, Nazri said.

"It will improve the status and image of their profession," he added.

Each of the "smart" taxis is equipped with a GPS (global positioning system) receiver and a web-based infokiosk with a smartcard terminal.

Nazri did not provide the total cost of the project, but project officials said the two taxi companies involved footed most of the bill for the Malaysian-made equipment, which costs about RM12,500 for each taxi.

The receiver is linked to a GPS despatch management system used for fleet, reservation, tracking and call management, as well as to broadcast the latest traffic conditions sourced from Kuala Lumpur City Hall on the routes the taxis ply.

"The system would enable drivers to be directed to the nearest passenger and told which roads to avoid, so no time is wasted," said Nazri.

He added that with GPS tracking, the safety of both driver and passenger would be assured, besides ensuring prompt response to any emergency situation the taxis might be involved in, such as accidents and breakdowns.

The quicker "turnaround" time would enable the drivers to get more passengers. Project officials estimate each Smart Taxipreneur would have an average of 30 passengers daily, with trips lasting about 15 minutes each.

The 15 minutes also provide the next avenue for the drivers to increase their income. The infokiosks would display content such as video and banner advertising, and sponsored channels promoting local events and attractions, while the smartcard terminal would be used for interactive classifieds and point-of-sale promotions such as hotel bookings, electronic tickets and coupons.

Nazri said while standard trip fares would be charged, the drivers would make extra money from their share of the revenue generated from the sale of the infokiosk commercial spots, and commissions from in-cab passenger transactions.

To ensure the equipment is used effectively, the taxi drivers have undergone a training programme that includes courses on ICT skills.

The programme, drawn up in consultation with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, is endorsed by the Human Resources Ministry and would eventually be expanded into a certificate course recognised by Universiti Tun Abdul Razak.

Nazri said the project would include 400 more taxis in the city in the coming months.

He also expressed hopes the project would be expanded to more taxis operating in Kuala Lumpur and other cities.

The Smart Taxipreneur project is partly funded by the Science, Technology and Environment Ministry’s Demonstrator Application Grant Scheme administered by Mimos Bhd.

As with all DAGS-funded initiatives, the project will have to become self-sustainable once funding ends, but officials were confident in its viability.

Nazri said fares for trips on the taxis would not be raised during the period of the pilot project.

There are currently more than 30,000 taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur.