Cancelling express bus driver licence will only cause ripple effect: KPBESM

PETALING JAYA: Cancelling an express bus driver’s public service vehicle (PSV) licence if he is found to be driving beyond the speed limit will only cause a ripple effect on the industry.
Express Bus Operators Union of Peninsular Malaysia (KPBESM) deputy secretary Tajarul Yusmi Mohd Yusup said the public is set to be the biggest loser if the decision, as mentioned by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, remains.
Tajarul pointed that the country is already facing a lack of express bus drivers presently, and that any action as such would only leave a bigger hole in the already emaciated industry.
“I don’t think it is proper to do that. We will be even further deprived of legal drivers if they stick to the decision (to cancel PSVs).
“The ones we have now is already insufficient, what more will happen if the penalty starts kicking in. The industry will be impacted,” he said when contacted today.
Liow had, on Saturday, said the ministry would cancel an express bus driver's PSV licence if he is driving above the speed limit, following the Pagoh accident on Dec 24 that killed 14 bus passengers including the driver, and injuring 16 others.
Tajarul said the move could also result in drivers driving illegally without a PSV licence and without the knowledge of the bus operators.
Meanwhile, Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said, while he agreed that tighter enforcement on drivers were needed, the government needs to ‘lend a helping hand” on the staff-deprived industry.
He pointed that the fairly high cost of obtaining legal permit, licence and trainings (costing as much as RM5,000) are deterring the younger generations into the industry.
“We are appealing to the ministry to help us, come up with a formula to provide free training to potential drivers, bear their cost. I hope Liow can take this up to the cabinet as soon as possible,” he said.