PUTRAJAYA: About 53,000 taxi, hire car and school bus drivers will receive a one-off RM1,000 aid, costing the government RM53 million.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the recipients comprised 38,000 taxi and hire car drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers.

"Overall, we estimate there are 53,000 drivers: 38,000 taxi and hire car drivers, and 15,000 school bus drivers, so RM53 million is needed," he told reporters after the launch of the Special Financial Assistance for Taxi, Hire Car and School Bus Drivers here today.

He said eligibility criteria were straightforward as drivers' details were already recorded in the Road Transport Department (RTD) and Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) databases.