KUALA Terengganu residents are wondering when ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Grab, will reach the state.
Residents believed that such services would improve public transport options in the state capital.
Kuala Terengganu has taxis, but fares can be high, while buses are irregular.
Retired civil servant Mustafa Che Mokhtar, from Pulau Kambing, said he relied on public transport because his vision was deteriorating.
He said taxi fares were expensive, adding that a 2km journey from his home to Pasir Panjang would cost RM15.
“There is no bus service to Pasir Panjang. I believe Uber and Grab will not charge more than RM5 for that distance.”
Social worker Liza Atan, 38, said Uber and Grab were available in many states and offered a cost-saving alternative to commuters.
She said RM30 for a 12km taxi ride from the city to the Sultan Mahmud Airport
was ridiculous.
“I have shared an airport taxi to town with a foreigner before.
“He was puzzled as to why Uber or Grab was not available in the state capital.”
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A Land Public Transport Commission spokesman said it was up to ride-hailing services to decide whether to extend their services to an area, adding that their decision often took into account profitability.
He said there were no laws to regulate e-hailing services, although a regulation was expected to be passed in Parliament soon.
“When the laws are enforced, we will know what areas ride-hailing services plan to expand to as they will have to apply for an operating licence from the commission.”