Easy Taxi pledges solidarity with cabbies, unveils ‘iconic’ experience

• Taxis in its network to be refurbished, drivers to be trained
• Competitive reward plan, introduces cashless payment

WITH car-booking service Uber under pressure from the authorities in Malaysia, taxi-booking startup Easy Taxi said it would be investing in upgrading taxis within its network and rolling out competitive incentive plans for drivers.
 
Saying that it is pledging its commitment to and solidarity with Malaysian taxi drivers, the company will be refurbishing its vehicles in several phases.
 
Taxi will be wrapped with a new modern look much like the widely-recognised iconic canary yellow taxis in New York City, Easy Taxi said in a statement.
 
Passengers will get to experience an upgraded level of service, the company promised. Drivers will be trained through workshops provided by Easy Taxi, to improve overall customer service initiatives. Vehicle interiors will also be improved to ensure high standards of cleanliness.
 
Easy Taxi’s drive comes just as Malaysian authorities said they would be cracking down on Uber drivers who lack the proper permits, after complaints from taxi drivers and companies.
 
Meanwhile, Easy Taxi also introduced its ET Pay cash-free system which allows customers to hop out as soon as they arrive and make payment using their smartphone instead, upon registration of their credit card.
 
“At Easy Taxi, we would like to continue to champion Malaysian taxis by investing in them,” said Easy Taxi South-East Asia regional managing director Joon Chan (pic).
 
“As we all know, the public transportation industry is experiencing quite a shake-up right now, but our priority remains with the Malaysian taxis drivers who are earning their humble livelihood.
 
“Our initiative … will pave way for an overall improved end-to-end taxi experience for passengers,” he added.
 
The company also announced a competitive ‘Super Easy Taxi’ monthly reward programme to further motivate taxi drivers that are driving Easy Taxi’s new ‘iconic’ taxis. Under this programme, drivers get between RM200 and RM1,000 per month depending on their performance as well as customer ratings in terms of level of service.
 
[RM1 = US$0.31]
 
Easy Taxi said it also provides monthly bonuses which vary on a month-to-month basis, to continuously motivate drivers to increase their level of service.
 
Launched in June 2011, Easy Taxi currently operates in 33 countries and more than 170 cities in the world. It started operations in Malaysia in 2013 and is now present in the Klang Valley, Kuching, Penang and Johor Baru.
 
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