In line with efforts to improve the quality of taxi services of the country, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has announced that the Toyota Innova TEKS1M will be used as an additional model for Taxi 1 Malaysia initiative.
This effort is aimed at increasing the amount of TEKS1M that operate in the Klang Valley, Johor and Penang. There are four main components under SPAD’s Taxi Industry Transformation Initiative: improving the lives of drivers, reducing operating costs, regulatory cooperation and to create a modern, world-class taxi system. These components are aimed at benefiting both taxi drivers as well as users.
In order to increase the prestige of the country’s taxi industry, SPAD is conducting TEKS1M driver training programmes in stages. The program involves independent taxi drivers and also drivers who have moved under TEKS1M’s umbrella. The point of SPAD’s Profession Advancement Program is to create awareness and knowledge in matters related to legal and ethical drivers.
It is also aimed at increasing the level of professionalism amongst drivers so they may provide better service to passengers and tourists. The training modules cover matters relating to safety and defensive driving techniques but also touch on topics involving service, effective communication with passengers, financial planning and more.
Starting last October 2014, all drivers operating taxis that were older than the legal limit were forced to migrate to the TEKS1M programme. In total, 3367 vehicles have thus far obtained approval for TEKS1M with 1382 licensed vehicles already in operation.
UMW Toyota’s part in all of this is to provide drivers with the option of giving passengers the best in terms of comfort and space. President of UMW Toyota Motor, Datuk Ismet Suki was proud to announce that thus far the company has received over 300 orders of the Toyota Innova TEKS1M. By the end of 2015, it is projected that 700 units will be delivered to taxi drivers looking for a taxi that’s world class in terms of size and quality.
