| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
DART, Brunei’s first taxi booking app, has become an instant hit, adding 1,800 active users in less than a week after launch and opening up a new career vista for the country’s educated jobseekers.
The application has so far seen 4,500 downloads and 3,200 people have already registered. Among them, 1,800 are active users, said Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, Director of Land Transport.
Since its launch, 24 people have registered as taxi drivers and of them six have their numbers registered and four are active drivers, he revealed, adding that the novel app has also created a new respectable career option for Brunei’s educated youth – as a tech-savvy taxi driver.
“Many bookings have been made through DART, however, more than half of the bookings were unsuccessful to be carried out. This means, we need more taxi drivers for the project to be successful. When there are more taxi drivers, more people will be interested in using the DART Taxi service,” the director said.
During a briefing on the mobile application for taxi drivers held recently at the BINA auditorium in Beribi, he noted that the application is beneficial not only for taxi owners but also drivers and passengers.
Operated by Dart Logistics Sdn Bhd, DART app, a comprehensive travel solution to fill in everyone’s transport needs, was officially launched by the Minister of Communications Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat in an event held at the Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd Headquarters in Gadong on May 5.
Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, Director of Land Transport speaking at the briefing. – SYAHMI HASSAV
Dr Haji Supry said taxi metre was launched in Brunei last September, followed by the introduction of Land Transport Department (JPD) taxi call service in October. Now, the call service has been suspended and is being replaced with the DART application.
Explaining the main requirements for applying to be a taxi driver (Class 12 licence) in a presentation, the director said the applicant must be a citizen or a permanent resident of Brunei Darussalam; they must be 21 years and above and not more than 70 years; they must have a Class 3 driving licence which is not less than a year old; and they must meet the prescribed health requirements.
Applicants are also required to pass the safety screening; pass the theory and practical test; have an excellent driving record; and be able to speak in Bahasa Melayu and English (ability to speak other languages will be an additional advantage).
Documents required from applicants are their original identity card and its copy; original licence and its copy; two most recent passport-sized photographs; health certificate; and a permission letter from employer (for part-timers).
The application begins with the filling in of the application form, presenting the form along with required documents, sitting for a course and the theory and practical test; payment for the Class 12 licence; registering vehicle as a taxi at the Motor Transport Licensing Authority (MTLA) and then the installation of the metre and taxi signage at appointed companies.
Endorsement and approval of applications will take 10 working days, while the course mentioned will cover topics such as taxi service overview and road safety; taxi rules and regulations; Kenali Negara Kitani (KNK: Places of interest, hotels, names of roads etc); customer service; and usage of DART taxi application and taxi metre, the director said.
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