Put SPAD back under Transport Ministry, group urges PM

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to consider placing the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) back under the purview of the Transport Ministry.
Its president Ajit Johl said this following SPAD's proposal to abolish Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license for taxi and e-hailing drivers.
Currently, Malaysians above 21 years of age who have a valid driving licence are eligible to apply for a PSV licence from the Road Transport Department before they can drive a bus or taxi.
"With the removal of PSV we will see foreigners driving cabs, under the guise of ride sharing providers. SPAD's action seems to be going in the opposite direction of the government's policy to encourage public transportation.
"SPAD needs a full-time minister, so it can be more accountable and transparent. The recent decisions and policies made by SPAD are highly questionable," he said in a statement today.
While claiming that the recent incident of a runaway express bus is a testament of weaknesses in the system, Ajit also said public transport companies must be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers.
The bus driver who rammed his vehicle into 10 cars on the PLUS highway on July 11 had nine summonses for various traffic offences from 2011 to 2015, while the bus company had also been issued with 63 summonses.