By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 9: A new designated waiting area for taxis and e-hailing vehicles will soon be introduced at Kuching International Airport (KIA) as part of a broader initiative by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak to ease congestion and revive the traditional taxi industry.
CVLB Sarawak chairman Michael Kong announced the move following a meeting today with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and representatives from various taxi associations.
He emphasised that the decision is aimed at improving traffic management and enhancing commuter experience at the airport.
“The newly designated waiting areas for taxis and e-hailing vehicles at the airport will better organise traffic flow, reduce congestion, and ensure smoother pick-up and drop-off operations for all passengers,” he said in a statement today.
As part of its efforts to rejuvenate the taxi sector, CVLB Sarawak also reaffirmed its commitment to stricter enforcement of existing regulations, particularly the mandatory use of fare meters—a requirement often flouted in the past.
“To restore public confidence in taxis, we are stepping up enforcement of meter usage for fare calculation. Transparency and fair pricing are non-negotiable if we want to bring commuters back to using taxis,” Kong said.
To support this transition, CVLB Sarawak shared a new initiative where e-hailing platforms will integrate metering functions into mobile apps, offering taxi drivers a cost-effective alternative to physical meters.
Kong highlighted that this integration also allows taxi drivers to reach a broader customer base while embracing digital service standards.
“Some operators initially expressed reservations, but there’s a general acceptance of the need for greater transparency, competitiveness, and service improvement. We sincerely appreciate the willingness of the taxi operators to work together with us towards these goals,” he added.
CVLB Sarawak will continue to engage taxi associations across the State to expand these efforts and ensure a sustainable future for the taxi industry. — DayakDaily
