SPAD chairman Syed Hamid Albar urged the government to introduce a more flexible rate for express bus fares.

He said introducing a better fare would stop bus drivers chasing trips to get a higher income.

However, he said the government could not push private bus operators to pay a higher salary as it would result in them closing shop.

“The commission paid to bus drivers depends on the number of trips they make. It forces the drivers to chase trips.

“We need to encourage bus operators to pay higher salaries but we must also remember that express buses are not owned by the government.

“So, we should allow a more flexible fare structure. This is not the total solution, but part of the solution.”
Syed Hamid was speaking during a press conference after distributing groceries and clothing to the Rohingya community at Sekolah Rohingya Pelangi Kasih in Selayang here.

In the accident at 4am on Christmas eve, 14 people were killed and 16 others injured after the northbound bus plunged into a 10-metre ravine near Pagoh, Johor.

The government in March last year had proposed for a hike in express bus fares, but the plan was put on hold following criticisms from the public. The last revision made to the fares was in 2009.

Syed Hamid highlighted another problem within the express bus industry.

He said there was a shortage of bus drivers due to a lack of interest by locals.

He also suggested the government introduce a speed limiter on express buses to stop bus drivers from speeding.

He said countries such as the US had adopted this in public vehicles and rental cars to curb speeding.

Syed Hamid added SPAD could not do much in resolving fatal crashes as its jurisdiction is limited to granting or suspending permits of operators.

Therefore, he urged the government to allow SPAD to revoke the public service vehicle licences of drivers, which is currently under the jurisdiction of the Road Transport Department.