12/04/2026

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday APR 12, 2026

‘Success of shared e-hailing rides depends on demand’

PETALING Shared e-hailing rides have been suggested as a solution to Malaysia’s growing congestion problem but experts say market demand and user behaviour will determine its impact. Transport think-tank MY Mobility Vision CEO Wan Md Hazlin Agyl Wan Hassan said the move towards a more flexible framework for carpooling via e-hailing services is “directionally correct”. He said carpooling could help address inefficiencies in cities where vehicle occupancy remains low despite rising traffic congestion. “Increasing the number of passengers per vehicle is one of the few interventions that could improve network efficiency without requiring major infrastructure expansion. “However, whether this becomes a meaningful shift or remains a limited feature depends on structural realities that go beyond policy enablement.” Wan Md Hazlin said shared ride models are likely to work mainly in high-density corridors and peak-hour flows when trip overlaps are more predictable. “In lower-density areas matching efficiency drops, detours increase and user experience deteriorates, making the model inherently corridor specific rather than system-wide. “For users, this means that while ride pooling may promise cost savings and better efficiency, it could also bring trade-offs such as longer coordination times and less predictable fares, with similar models in more mature markets typically only scaling in a limited, selective manner rather than universally.” Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com JAYA:

Carpooling could help address inefficiencies in cities where vehicle occupancy remains low despite rising traffic congestion, says expert He said on user adoption, cost savings alone may not be enough to sustain uptake as commuters weigh trade-offs such as privacy, predictability and perceived safety. “Successful implementation typically requires strong trust architecture within the platform, including identity verification, transparent rating systems and predictable routing.” Wan Md Hazlin said carpooling would be most effective when integrated with Malaysia’s wider transport network, particularly as a first and last-mile connector to rail and bus systems rather than a standalone mobility option. He added that the development points towards the need for a more integrated, service-based regulatory framework for on-demand mobility, allowing innovations such as ride pooling to scale within a coherent system. “The policy framework is a necessary enabler but not

Wan Md Hazlin said shared ride models are likely to work mainly in high-density corridors and peak hour flows when trip overlaps are more predictable. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Materials on Pak Lah collected GEORGE TOWN: The National Archives has collected more than 10,000 materials related to former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, which are currently being catalogued for placement at the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Memorial to be built at Vision Park in Bertam near here. Its director-general Zaidin Mohd Noor said the collection was carried out in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Department, and comprises various official records, administrative documents as well as materials related to the fifth prime minister’s involvement in politics and international relations. “All materials obtained will be preserved as part of the nation’s historical records, although only a portion will be displayed based on specific themes and periods at the memorial,” said Zaidin. – Bernama “Adoption among Malaysians would depend largely on affordability, convenience and safety assurance, as concerns over privacy and comfort could limit widespread uptake.” rides integrated with mass transit systems have helped improve connectivity and reduce congestion in cities such as Singapore and Beijing. She said its feasibility in Malaysia depends on user acceptance, driver incentives and ensuring that shared rides do not undermine public transport usage.

following adjustments to fuel subsidy quotas. “Carpooling allows passengers to split fares, making transport more affordable. The main objective is economic relief for households and ensuring subsidy sustainability.” Siti Ayu said reduced congestion is an indirect benefit as shared rides improve vehicle occupancy and reduce duplicated trips on the road, while environmental gains come from lower fuel use and emissions. She highlighted how shared

sufficient on its own. “Its success would depend on whether it is implemented as part of a broader network strategy aligned with urban density and system design, not just as an additional service option.” Universiti Teknologi Mara Malaysian Institute of Transport legal and quality head Dr Siti Ayu Jalil said the move is driven primarily by cost of living concerns. She said the policy is closely tied to rising fuel costs and subsidy pressures, particularly

Ensure driver earnings not negatively affected, says group PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian e-Hailing Coalition has said it would support the introduction of carpooling in e-hailing services, provided there are clear guarantees that driver earnings will not be negatively affected. driver income is protected, namely government incentives for e-hailing drivers to offset potential income losses and a cap of 5% on e-hailing platform commissions as a show of solidarity amid rising operational costs.” Masrizal added that without such safeguards, the stakeholders regarding the government’s proposed carpooling initiative, including key operational details such as pricing structures and passenger limits per ride. “The matter has been approached unilaterally up to this point,” he told theSun . Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently encouraged more affordable fares while still maintaining a balance between industry sustainability and consumer welfare. Loke said several e-hailing companies had conducted proof of-concept trials on ride sharing services. He said the initiative could be implemented immediately as part of efforts to address current economic pressures.

Its chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said e-hailing drivers face significant daily operating expenses, including for fuel, vehicle loan repayments, insurance, permits and vehicle inspections, and should not be further burdened by changes in the system. “The coalition is proposing two key measures to ensure that

implementation of carpooling risks putting pressure on driver earnings and would not deliver meaningful benefits to those who rely on the industry to support their families. He said there have been no discussions between e-hailing companies and relevant

e-hailing firms to adopt more flexible policies by expanding carpool services, saying it could help give users more options while reducing fuel usage. He said the approach would allow passengers to share rides at

Loke said discussions with industry players would continue as the ministry refines its approach to ensure that the policy is practical and sustainable. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI

Cloud seeding efforts to continue: DPM MALACCA: Efforts to carry out cloud seeding in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in Malacca, will be intensified through several follow-up Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the cloud seeding attempt conducted in Malacca had minimal impact due to wind movement factors, which caused clouds to drift away from the targeted areas. attempts after initial results were found to be less than anticipated. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development

Stadium Tun Fatimah in Bukit Serindit on Friday. Ahmad Zahid said the operation would involve cooperation among several agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the National Disaster Management Agency. – Bernama

minister, said the relevant parties would carry out second and third attempts to increase rainfall to help boost water supply in Malacca. He was speaking after attending the Malacca Sayang Rakyat Aidilfitri Open House for the Duyong state constituency at