KUALA LUMPUR – The Northern E-Hailing Drivers Association (NeHDA) is disappointed with the alleged silence and indifference of the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to the issues raised at an engagement session with e-hailing driver associations nationwide on November 17.
In a statement, NeHDA said the issues raised include the fare bargaining system, the sudden increase in e-hailing insurance, the pricing of floor and ceiling fares and the lack of price display during booking.
The statement said that although the Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, has issued a clear directive that the bargaining system is not allowed, there are e-hailing companies that still practise this openly.
“More disappointingly, no enforcement action has been taken by APAD against this violation.
“In addition, starting next year, drivers are expected to bear the burden of drastically increased insurance costs, and this will add pressure to their already squeezed income,” the association said in a statement today.
NeHDA also said that the association, together with other association partners, has submitted a proposal for a fairer fare structure, but to date, no follow-up action or negotiation session with e-hailing operators has been held by APAD.
“There is no display of prices during booking, where drivers are only given 10 seconds to reject or accept an incoming booking. It is automatically considered that the driver has agreed to accept the booking if they are late in cancelling it.
“This is a subtle form of coercion and oppression, and we see this failure as a form of ‘negligence by the authorities’, especially APAD and the Ministry of Transport, in protecting the welfare of more than 300,000 e-hailing drivers nationwide.
“In the northern region alone, more than 2,500 drivers are now facing unequal fares compared to other regions, even though operating costs such as fuel and maintenance are the same,” NeHDA said, questioning whether this is a form of systemic oppression against drivers in the north.
Therefore, NeHDA called on APAD to immediately hold a follow-up engagement session with all stakeholders to implement a fair and transparent fare structure for the survival of drivers.
“NeHDA will continue to fight for the rights and voices of e-hailing drivers for a more just, sustainable and humane future for the industry,” he said. – December 21, 2025