| Ishan Ibrahim |
IN AN interview, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, the Minister of Communications said the newly-implemented metered taxi system is an important step by the Brunei Government to improve public transportation and to generate confidence among the public to utilise such systems at reasonable price rates.
He said that previously taxis were not competitive, with a less transparent and unreliable system.
“The taxi tariffs are generally on a par with Singapore, and now the rates are lower than previously expected,” said the minister. “The taxi tariffs will be continuously monitored and assessed, to improve the efficiency and reliability of the metered system.”
The minister is also encouraging more members of the public to use taxis, to give support and encouragement to the budding metered system.
He even suggested that taxi operators provide self-drive vehicles for hire, to further supplement their income and enhance their market base.
Meanwhile, taxi stands will be provided at strategic hotpoints across the country, such as shopping centres, hotels and convention centres.
“Information technology (IT) is also in the planning stage to improve the connectivity between passengers and taxi operators, but this may take time to be implemented,” said the minister.
On the subject of ‘taxi sapu’ or illegal taxis which are commonly used in the country, the minister said that the government would be taking stern measures to tackle the problem.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Minister of Communications, inspecting a taxi with Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, Director of Land Transport and Chairman of the Motor Transport Licensing Authority. – ISHAN IBRAHIM
He urged the public to use only metered taxis, and to avoid from using ‘taxi sapu’, which are deemed unsafe, unreliable and inefficient.
So far, 12 companies have submitted their Expression of Interest (EOI), to be involved in the government’s initiative to upgrade the public transport system.
“A proper and efficient transport system must be in place, and once this is achieved, the right infrastructure can then be implemented and assessed,” said the minister.
“Special bus lanes can be installed, for example, for a speedy transport system. The buses have to be clean and tidy, with priority seating available for the elderly and people with special needs.”
When asked whether there would be in-demand service like Uber in Brunei, the minister replied that the concept was still new to all relevant parties, and that they are more focused on how to upgrade the country’s public transport system.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa experienced the new metered system for himself yesterday, by taking a taxi ride from the Brunei International Airport to the route along the Tamu Kianggeh Complex, while stopping at the Mall Gadong and the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex.
At the end of the ride, the minister said that the new metered taxis would generate confidence among the public, although there were still challenges which needed to be addressed, such as traffic jams.
“There will be no trust issues with the metered taxis, as the price rates are monitored and continuously assessed by authorities,” he said.
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