Taxi Drivers to Receive RM1,000 Aid Before Deepavali

The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) announced on Friday, 6 November 2026, that over 80 per cent of eligible taxi and rental car drivers will receive a RM1,000 special financial assistance payout before Deepavali this Sunday. The phased disbursement aims to ensure a smooth, orderly distribution across several payment methods.

According to APAD, this initiative reflects the MADANI Government's concern in appreciating the contributions of land public transport drivers while easing their financial burdens amidst the rising cost of living. Payments are being coordinated directly with relevant agencies for registered drivers nationwide.

Key Facts

The Bantuan Khas Kewangan initiative provides a direct cash assistance payment of RM1,000 to registered public transport drivers in Malaysia. Spearheaded by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), the initiative covers active taxi, rental car, and school bus drivers through designated disbursement phases using bank transfers and cash vouchers.

The Malaysian government has allocated RM1,000 in special financial assistance to 15,062 registered taxi and rental car drivers active as of 30 September.

When and How Will Drivers Receive the RM1,000 Payment?

Eligible Malaysian taxi and rental car drivers receive the RM1,000 aid through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) cash vouchers or direct bank transfers using Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) accounts. Over-the-counter cash payments are also provided, with disbursements scheduled between 14 October and 11 November depending on driver registration dates.

Between 14 October and 2 Nov, 2,619 drivers received assistance via BSN cash vouchers after attending official handover ceremonies in Putrajaya, Pulau Pinang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Kedah. Starting 4 November, payment for 12,033 drivers was executed through direct transfers into bank accounts registered under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) or through cash payments at bank counters.

“Inisiatif ini mencerminkan keprihatinan Kerajaan MADANI dalam menghargai sumbangan golongan pemandu pengangkutan awam darat serta membantu meringankan beban kewangan mereka, khususnya dalam menghadapi peningkatan kos sara hidup,” Agensi Pengangkutan Awam Darat (APAD)

A total of 12,033 drivers are receiving payments starting 4 November via direct bank transfers linked to Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah accounts or cash over the counter.

What Is the Payment Timeline for Late Driver Card Renewals?

Drivers who renewed their driver cards between 30 September and 25 October are scheduled to receive their RM1,000 assistance starting 11 November. Data updating and verification processes are currently being carried out by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) prior to issuing payments via direct bank transfer or counter cash.

Drivers in this category can verify their transaction status directly on the official portal on the payout date. APAD confirmed it will maintain coordination with all relevant entities to guarantee that assistance reaches every qualified recipient smoothly and methodically.

Drivers who renewed their driver cards between 30 September and 25 October will receive their RM1,000 aid starting 11 November.

When Will School Bus Drivers Receive the RM1,000 Assistance?

Approximately 7,228 school bus drivers in Malaysia will receive their RM1,000 government assistance in the near future via direct bank transfers into their respective accounts. The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) confirmed that eligibility status can be verified by drivers or companies starting in the second week of November.

The impending disbursement follows the closure of the official Bantuan Khas Kewangan portal on 30 October, which was concluded to enable comprehensive data verification and cross-checking.

The Land Public Transport Agency has allocated RM1,000 to approximately 7,228 school bus drivers via direct bank transfers following data verification.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This financial assistance is designated specifically for eligible Malaysian land public transport drivers, comprising registered taxi drivers, rental car drivers, and school bus drivers. The aid directly supports operators facing rising living costs across states including Putrajaya, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Kedah who hold active commercial driver cards.

Under APAD records, eligibility is limited to drivers holding active driver cards as of 30 September, those renewing by 25 October, and verified school bus drivers. The announcement does not extend to private e-hailing drivers, freight operators, or general motorists.

The RM1,000 special assistance directly targets 15,062 active taxi and rental car drivers alongside approximately 7,228 school bus drivers across Malaysia.

Common Questions

Common queries regarding the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) RM1,000 special assistance address payment verification methods, disbursement channels, and eligibility timelines for drivers. Registered taxi, rental car, and school bus operators can resolve payment questions using official records, direct bank accounts, and the dedicated government assistance portal.

Eligible Malaysian transport drivers can verify their RM1,000 financial aid status directly through the official portal at bantuanpemandu.mot.gov.my.

How can taxi drivers check their RM1,000 payment status online?

Drivers can verify their payment status through their individual bank accounts or via the Bantuan Khas Kewangan portal at bantuanpemandu.mot.gov.my starting from 4 November. Drivers who renewed their cards late can check the portal for their payment status starting on 11 November.

How was the initial batch of RM1,000 aid distributed to drivers?

A total of 2,619 drivers received assistance through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) cash vouchers between 14 October and 2 November. These payments were distributed to drivers invited to official handover ceremonies held across Putrajaya, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Kedah.

When can school bus drivers check their eligibility status for the RM1,000 aid?

School bus drivers or their operating companies can check their registered eligibility status starting in the second week of November. The verification follows the closure of the Bantuan Khas Kewangan portal on 30 October for data review and confirmation.

Sources and Methodology

This reporting relies exclusively on official announcements published by Careta, incorporating statements issued by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) via Astro Awani and Bernama. All financial sums remain in original Ringgit Malaysia (RM) values, and source statements have been translated from Malay into English without external data aggregation.

Original report: Careta

All facts and figures were translated from the original Malay source text. No currency conversions were necessary as figures were originally reported in Ringgit Malaysia (RM).

All details and disbursement figures in this report are sourced directly from the Land Public Transport Agency's official statement published on 6 November 2026.

This article is based on the source report above and was last updated on 7 November 2026.