Factory buses exempted from heavy vehicle ban in Bukit Tambun
CERTAIN vehicles are exempted from the ban affecting heavy vehicles weighing five tonnes or more (unladen) during peak hours on two roads in Bukit Tambun on mainland Penang.
The restrictions, which began from July 1, apply daily (except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) from 6.30am to 8.30am and 5pm to 7pm.
The affected roads are Jalan Bukit Tambun (from the Jalan Perindustrian Bukit Minyak junction to the Bukit Tambun North Toll Plaza) and Jalan Paboi.
However, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, who chaired a technical department meeting, said exemption had been granted to vehicles owned by government or statutory bodies, including factory buses.
He said the ban was gazetted on March 29, 2021, and enforcement began on Feb 3, 2025.
'However, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) received a request from an employment agency to extend the exemption to factory buses.
'After a meeting with the relevant technical departments on June 17, we agreed to grant the exemption,' he said in a statement.
Goh said factory buses were essential for transporting workers to and from nearby industrial areas.
He said while some improvements had been made to Jalan Bukit Tambun and Jalan Paboi, the roads were still in poor condition and in urgent need of overhaul, mainly due to ongoing damage from heavy vehicles.
Affected areas are located near three major industrial zones – Bukit Minyak, Batu Kawan and Penang Science Park.
'The Public Works Department (JKR) frequently carries out repairs to make the commute easier for users,' he said.
Goh said a formal request for road upgrades had been submitted through the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and JKR, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
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