KUCHING: The state’s Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) has not changed its stand of allowing Toyota Innova vehicles utilised as executive taxis (ETs) to carry six passengers.
In a statement issued yesterday, it said the number of passengers not inclusive of driver would be maintained according to the terms of the existing ET permit.
Also, the age of the registered taxis in the state was to be maintained up to 15 years.
“We hope this will clarify the confusion as reported in the papers recently,” the statement added.
The board issued the statement in response to thesundaypost report ‘Kuching taxi operators in a fix’ dated Jan 27.
According to the report, taxi operators here were caught in a conundrum following conflicting information from government agencies over the permitted number of passengers they could carry in ETs.
The source of the dilemma is a letter dated Jan 16 and signed by the CVLB state director Mohamad Anuardi Hajani, which stated that Toyota Innova vehicles utilised as ETs would only have a licensed capacity of five individuals, including the driver.
A taxi operator who did not wish to be identified had said that this differed from what they were told during a meeting earlier this month with state CVLB chairman Hasbi Habibollah.
“According to the terms of our existing permits, we are allowed to carry six passengers, not inclusive of the driver. But during the meeting, we were told that the capacity is five passengers.
“Imagine our shock when we found out today (yesterday) of this new requirement when we received Photostat copies of the letter. What we want to know now is, which is the right one (requirement) to follow and when will it take effect?”
The taxi operator said it would not be financially viable to restrict ETs to carry four passengers.
“We support the efforts to project a more professional image of local taxi services. That is why some of us invested in Toyota Innova vehicles.
“However, they are more expensive to operate and maintain than other types of vehicles used as taxis. Besides, we are already constrained by the limit of 10 years imposed on our vehicles roadworthiness, as well as the widespread problem of illegal taxis.”
Persatuan Teksi Bumi Kenyalang Bahagian Kuching chairman Philip Ayan was also quoted of having requested to the government to extend the age limit of roadworthy ETs to 15 years from the current 10 years.