Three motorcycle owners were issued summonses by the Road Transport Department (RTD) yesterday for providing unauthorised motorcycle taxi service known as 'Dego Ride'.

RTD enforcement director Datuk V. Valluvan said two of the summonses were issued in Kuala Lumpur and another in Selangor for abusing their Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM).

He said the three motorcycle owners would be charged in court under Section 23 (2) of the Road Transport Department and face a fine of up to RM10,000, or two years' imprisonment, or both, if found guilty.

"RTD has also issued a notice to the owner of the Dego Ride company to appear at the Putrajaya RTD headquarters within seven days to record his statement, he told Bernama here today.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai warned the company which operate the Dego Ride motorcycle taxi service not to challenge the laws of the country and to cease operation because of safety factors.

'Dego ride' service was introduced in November last year and has since become popular among city folks as an alternative transport as it is cheap and fast.

The rate is as low as RM2.50 for the first three kilometres and 60 sen for each subsequent kilometre. - BERNAMA