KUALA LUMPUR, October 22, 2011: The Public Land Transportation Commission ("SPAD"), in support of the 2012 Budget that provides incentives to owners of private budget taxis and rental cars, today announces that they now have a choice and can change their current vehicles to Proton Persona.
As announced by the Prime Minister when tabling Budget 2012, the owners are offered incentives such as a 100% exemption of excise duty and sales tax on the purchase of new taxi locally, low interest rates subsidies, and cash assistance of between RM1, 000 and RM3, 000 to dispose of a taxi that has reached certain age limit. This, in turn, will encourage taxi owners to replace their ageing cars.
The incentives will allow for new taxis on the local roads, while users will be able to enjoy a better quality, customer friendly, comfortable, reliable and secure taxi services. Newer and better cars will also enhance the image of our taxi services and the country among the tourists.
While current budget taxis consist of various Proton models namely the Wira, Waja and Saga, the Persona inclusion means operators now have a better design, more modern and most importantly, more convenient model for their passengers.
Private budget taxi owners can enjoy an interest rate subsidy of 2% for the purchase of the Persona, which costs some RM42,200. In addition, they will also receive a cash incentive amounting to RM3, 000 when they dispose of old taxis aged 7 to 10 years. A RM1, 000 cash will be given to owners who dispose of their over 10-years old taxis.
Chief Executive Officer S.P.A.D. Mohd Nur Kamal said: "The incentives clearly shows that the government listens and cares for the grievances of taxi owners, and is serious in leading its transformation plan, which puts people's interest first, thus helping the owners to have a solid and sustainable operation. At the same time, it will strengthen the local economy by supporting Malaysian-made car."