E-hailing drivers says, new rule on KL airport pick-up unfair

By TIN Media | Transportation Published 4 years ago on 1 November 2019
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KUALALUMPUR:

 

E-hailing drivers are antagonistic and conflicting on the new rules governing vehicle pick-up at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA2 respectively. Last Saturday the regulation came into effect and according to the regulation, drivers can now only chauffeur passengers at the new pick-up points that require a Touch 'n Go with a minimum value of RM20 or pay-wave cards to access.

Each entry into the pick-up point at the airport will cost RM5 effective from November 1, which will be collected by a company that is appointed to be the "queue manager" of the airport. They are only allowed five minutes at the pick-up lanes or be made to pay RM10 charge and an additional RM10 for a further five minutes.

Malaysia E-hailing Drivers Association president Daryl Chong said "It is almost impossible to complete a pick-up within five minutes. And it is totally unfair to burden drivers with these charges, " He said the five minutes time constraint has been indulged because the passengers often book a ride even before they step out of the arrival hall and some even while waiting for their baggage claim.

He said"Their walk to the new pick-up points may take up to 20 minutes. And for passengers who are not familiar with the vicinity around the airport, they will take even more time,”.

 

Last Friday, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said in a statement that the new pick-up points are at Doors 3 and 4, Level 1 of the Main Terminal Building of KLIA and at Door 5, Level 1 of the Transportation Hub at KLIA2. Previously, e-hailing drivers could pick up passengers from outside the arrival halls of the respective airports, namely at KLIA's arrival hall at Level 3 and Level 2 arrival hall of KLIA2.

MAHB chief executive officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said the move was to smoothen the constant traffic congestion which piles up frequently at both the airports. Also, the step is taken to ensure a more systematic public transportation flow.

He said "We understand MAHB wants a proper pick-up place for e-hailing services and they don't want drivers to clog up the small area. We also understand RM10 charge is a form of deterrent. But the allowed five-minute waiting time is too short and troubling drivers, "

Chong also interacted with e-hailing companies to make the necessary changes to their app by only listing the allocated pick-up points for passengers to smoothen pick-up while booking a ride for better access, both ways.


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