MOT Open To Revisit Motorcycle e-Hailing To Solve First-Mile, Last-Mile Gaps

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is considering reintroducing motorcycle-based e-hailing services to address first-mile and last-mile (FMLM) connectivity challenges.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook expressed openness to conducting a proof of concept (POC), allowing operators to run pilot tests or sandbox initiatives to assess the feasibility of such services.

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung proposed revisiting motorcycle e-hailing during the 2025 Budget debate, highlighting its success in cities like Bangkok and Jakarta. He noted its potential to improve consumer welfare, create dual-income opportunities, and resolve FMLM issues.

Lee suggested Petaling Jaya as a pilot site and expressed support for a sandbox initiative in his constituency. He also addressed safety concerns, citing protocols used by companies like Grab and Gojek, including monitoring alerts, driver rest reminders, and safety reports.

Loke, in reply, acknowledged cultural resistance to motorcycle e-hailing in Malaysia but emphasised the need to re-evaluate the model through a POC to better understand its feasibility and address public concerns.

Motorcycle e-hailing was previously introduced in Malaysia with Dego Ride in 2016 but was halted after three months due to safety concerns. A 2020 trial kickstated by MOT also saw limited success.

Despite these challenges, Loke remains open to the idea, pending successful trials and discussions with relevant authorities.

This renewed initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving urban mobility by exploring global best practices adapted to Malaysia’s needs.

Source: FMT