TR1M SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO SCHOOL BUS

The TR1M –scheme that was launched recently by the BN Government does not solve the perennial problems faced by taxi drivers nationawide. PKR National Supreme Council Member cum PKR Sabah Secretary– Dr Roland Chia Ming Shen revealed today. Many preferred individual permits to be issued to them directly rather than free tyres.

Firstly, for the last 50 years finally the BN government is giving out free tyres for the first time. This handout is in voucher form, and if the tyres vouchers exceeded the value of tyres bought by taxi drivers, then taxi drivers have to folk out from their own pockets. 

According to many taxi drivers, many who travelled long distance daily had to change their tyres at least 4 times a year. The once a lifetime of after  50 years - free tyres is an insult of the taxi drivers.

Secondly, Pakatan Rakyat has promised taxi permits to be liberalized and not to be monopolized by certain companies linked to certain individuals. Many taxi drivers told us that some UMNO Divisional Chiefs or Branch Heads has permits from 15 permits up to 200 permits.

As a result, many taxi drivers nationwide have been complaining of daily rental paid to registered companies who are also permit holders, some ranges from RM50 to RM120 per day. 

By giving permits directly to taxi drivers, there is a potential savings of up to RM10,000 per year for a taxi driver of whom many are the sole bread winner of the family.

On top of that, if the rental of taxi is at RM50 per day, then the assumption of monthly taxi loan to the bank would be about RM1500  as compared to  a big contrast to a monthly loan installment of a taxi car of RM500- RM700 paid to a financial instituition.

This calculations proves that the extra financial burden that had to be borne by taxi drivers will end up enriched certain individuals linked to the BN government.

Finally, BN should not be only giving free tyres to only taxi drivers only. The other group that needed most will be the BAS SEKOLAHS whom have become the main mode of transports for students going to schools ranging from kinder garden  to secondary schools.