Transport minister Anthony Loke has stated that the Ministry of Transport has never approved a price bidding system for e-hailing operators. This was in response to when he was asked to comment on the growing popularity of a bidding system users and drivers on e-hailing apps can negotiate on a fare before agreeing upon the rate.
The minister said his ministry has never been informed of this system and that he has the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to investigate it as a precaution. Apparently, some members of the public are concerned that such a bidding system would force customers to pay higher prices.
Ride-hailing company inDrive, previously known as inDriver, has been operating in Malaysia for years and is the most prolific e-hailing app when it comes to price bidding. Despite not being named, the firm has stated that it has written a letter to the minister’s office in response to these comments and is currently waiting for further feedback.
Coincidentally, e-hailing giant Grab was spotted testing fare bidding last year in select towns with a similar fashion where both customers and drivers can put up bids for the fare. So far, it has yet to widely implement the feature.
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