| Lyna Mohamad |
METERED taxis will start plying the Brunei roads from July this year, said Haji Supry bin Haji Ladi, Director of the Department of Land Transport (JPD).
Addressing a press conference at JPD office yesterday, he added that taxi drivers in the country will be donning a standard uniform which will be introduced sometime next month.
“The Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Communications is currently active in implementing a project to transform the nation’s public transport system by revamping the public bus and taxi services.
“Initiatives under the project aim to create a more regulated and efficient public transport system where one of the initiatives is introduction of metered taxi services.
“These initiatives will make taxi services not only more efficient but also competitive with more structured fares as in neighbouring countries,” the director explained.
The press conference at JPD office. – LYNA MOHAMAD
The first step in the implementation of the plan is the opening of tenders for the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of taximeters and other peripheral devices for taxis in Brunei Darussalam, the director said, adding that to provide advice and clarification to those interested in submitting tenders, an ‘information day” session will be held with its venue, date and time to be confirmed by the government.
The tender will be opened tomorrow and closed on May 17, 2016 at 2pm.
Tenders can be submitted by individuals, partnerships, companies or any other body as per the standard regulations in the tender document.
Tender documents are available at the Licensing Board of Motor Transportation at Level 2 of the JPD headquarters in Beribi.
Completed tenders must be submitted at the Mini Tender Board of the Ministry of Communications.
“Introduction of metered taxis will make the service more organised and transparent and users can enjoy more structured and competitive fares. The move will not only give more transport options to the public but also help generate opportunities for local taxi entrepreneurs,” the director said.
On this note, he pointed out that the taximeter shall be fully electronic and encased in hard impenetrable plastic or metal. It shall have a fully programmable fare structure; the units of fare programmed shall be in Brunei dollars and cents; and the meter’s display, markings, instructions and fare display shall be clearly visible to the passenger.
Peripheral devices must feature a receipt printer which shall be constructed in such a way as to be able to print a receipt as and when required by the passenger as well as an on-roof or in-vehicle signage system which is able to indicate the vehicle’s availability, the director explained.
Also to be featured is an electronic payment device capable of accepting fare using modes of payment other than cash such as credit/debit card and/or prepaid payment, he added.
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