Latest news with #PanMalaysianBusOperatorsAssociation
The Star
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
More needed to drive change
PETALING JAYA: Heavy vehicle owners say that naming and shaming companies with overdue traffic summonses may encourage company owners to toe the line, but it is not a fix-it-all solution for reducing fatal accidents. Company owners, particularly lorry operators, also point out that while they strive to uphold road safety, the government should explore additional ways to promote civic-mindedness among drivers. They were responding to Transport Minister Anthony Loke's revelation yesterday that 11 companies operating goods vehicles have accumulated more than 1,000 overdue traffic summonses. Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Lorry Owners Association secretary-general Alvin Choong said the minister's expose will prompt lorry operators to settle their summonses and comply with the law. 'Companies will toe the line, as they are responsible for the misconduct of their drivers. 'This is stipulated in the transport ordinance Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Apad) Act. 'The summons should not be discounted, as that would then defeat the very purpose (of naming and shaming),' said Choong when contacted. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said that while some technical offences – such as faulty brakes, worn-out tyres or vehicles operating without insurance – are clearly the responsibility of the company, many traffic-related offences, especially those involving express buses, are the fault of individual drivers rather than the operators. 'As operators, we can train, advise and guide our drivers, but once they are on the road, it's out of our hands. 'If they break the law and the company reprimands the drivers, they just leave for another company,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar said express bus companies often receive summonses for speeding and other violations committed by their drivers, despite taking all possible preventative measures. 'A comprehensive driver card system can track driver movements between companies and ensure that any malpractice is monitored. 'These proposals have been on the table for over 10 years. 'If the ministry is serious about reducing accidents, they must introduce a proper system to track, monitor and regulate drivers. Only then will we see lasting change,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar added that the government should also consider extending the allocation of 1,000 free training slots for B40 individuals seeking to obtain an E-class driving licence. 'We are facing a shortfall of at least 5,000 drivers annually across the transport sector, from buses to lorries, charter services and factory and school buses. 'We have appealed to the Human Resources Ministry for support but received no response. 'These three measures – free training for aspiring drivers, the introduction of a driver card and a comprehensive data registry – must go hand in hand. 'That's the only way we'll see drivers slow down and accidents go down,' he added. Another lorry operator said there is no point in introducing new ideas and laws to curb heavy vehicle companies and drivers if there is no enforcement on the ground. 'If your enforcement is no good and there are loopholes, that would defeat the very purpose of having such ideas and laws in the first place. 'Road safety is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including the government. It takes two to tango, and when one fails in its part, that is when the safety issues occur,' said the lorry operator, who declined to be named. Meanwhile, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Trucking Association president Datuk Wong Kean Ki said that forcing the payment of traffic summonses is not the solution to the issue of reckless drivers, as there are other factors that have to be addressed. 'For lorry drivers, the summonses are issued on the road to the reckless drivers, who will then throw them away. 'We will only come to know of the mass of summons accumulated when we are renewing the road tax. By then, the reckless lorry driver may have left the company. 'We try our best in disciplining our drivers and filtering them before they are hired. However, we still end up getting these reckless drivers. To be a lorry driver, they must have proper licences and we only have a limited pool to choose from. 'While naming and shaming heavy vehicle companies with accumulated traffic summonses may be the minister's way, for us it just means we have to quickly find ways to pay them. 'And to pay these summonses, we have to operate our lorries. To operate our lorries, we need drivers. 'Putting the brakes on our lorries will mean there is no income, which means we would not be able to pay the summonses. 'In the end, no one wins. As it is, the economic situation is dismal. It's a terrible cycle of factors and issues which cannot be solved by merely naming and shaming heavy vehicle operators,' said Wong. Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said that a more wholesome approach must be taken to handle recklessness on the roads. 'It must begin in schools. Even lorry drivers would have to go through our education system when they are young. 'Our education system must inculcate road safety and civic-mindedness in their lessons. Only then can we address the issues of road bullying and reckless driving, as people have to be trained from young to be civic- minded,' said Ng.
The Star
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Compliance is non-negotiable to prevent accidents'
PETALING JAYA: Despite stricter checks on heavy commercial vehicles at inspection centres, industry players are on board, saying compliance is non-negotiable and essential for better road safety and fair play. Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said there is no issue in complying with the requirements, especially tyre safety. 'Most new ones are already 16mm, which is well above the 1.6mm requirement by the government. 'Our members are alert as the matter was also circulated at least two weeks before the enforcement date,' he added. Effective June 1, a tyre will only pass inspection if the entire tyre surface has a tread depth of at least 1.6mm. The sideboards of dumper or tipper lorries, meanwhile, must not exceed either 762mm or 610mm, depending on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said the tyre regulations are fair. 'There is no excuse for buses to be on the road with bald tyres as fleet operators usually get good discounts from tyre suppliers. 'Operators may also have their own workshops for vehicle maintenance,' Mohamad Ashfar said. 'Here, they can visually spot if the tyre thread is thinning,' he added. He said bus operators also have to comply with legal regulations under the authorities' Industrial Code of Practice. 'There is a safety, health and environment section, where drivers are required to make a checklist of the tyres, lights and condition of the vehicle before they start the journey. 'The logs are kept at all times, so whenever there is an audit by the authorities, all this can be presented,' he said. MTF deputy president Ng Yoon Kin said strict enforcement is necessary to level the playing field in the logistics industry. He said some operators overload their vehicles to boost profits, but consistent enforcement makes it harder for them to bend the law. 'It prevents them from slipping through the cracks and ensures fair competition for all operators,' he said. Ng also raised concerns about operators who temporarily swap their sideboards to pass inspections. He said all operators are required to declare their cargo when applying for a permit, with some later swapping to different ones to carry more goods than permitted. 'Some switch to compliant sideboards just for inspection, then swap them later after to carry more goods,' he said. In December last year, an accident happened near Ayer Keroh, Melaka, with investigations revealing that the bus involved had collided with a detached lorry tyre in the middle lane. Seven people died while 33 others were injured. In March this year, five people, including a toddler and a young couple, were killed in a collision involving a lorry and three cars along the North-South Expressway. According to the police, the front tyre of the lorry burst, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the opposite lane.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Expand taxi drivers' card to buses, says operator association
KUALA LUMPUR: An association representing express and stage bus operators has urged the government to expand a system presently used to regulate the hiring of taxi drivers to bus companies. Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali, president of the Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association, said they have for years pushed for the introduction of a "driver's card" for buses. "Previously, the Land Public Transport Commission's (SPAD) predecessor, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), accepted our proposal, but nothing materialised," he told the New Straits Times. Ashfar said that when taxi drivers want to quit one company to join another, they need to obtain approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). To get this approval, a driver must submit a letter from their current employer stating that the company has accepted their resignation and a letter of employment from their new company to APAD. "APAD will do a background check on the driver before issuing a new driver's card," he said. "This is the system we have asked the Transport Ministry and APAD to introduce for express buses because it can help weed out the 'bad hats'." Ashfar said the over 100 companies under the PMBOA implement their own vetting system for drivers. "Anyone wanting to join a company that is a member of PMBOA must be an E-Class licence holder for at least five years, a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence holder for at least three years, and have a minimum of two years' experience driving a bus." He said those who qualify attend an interview, and if they pass, the member companies will request a copy of their police, APAD, and Road Transport Department (RTD) records. "We will check what summonses they have received. Only then do we test them on the road, with a company staff member sitting in for the journey," he said. "They also have to do blood sugar and drug tests." Ashfar said even those who are employed have their records checked for summonses each month, while GPS tracking is done daily for every bus. On Monday, a bus carrying 42 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus collided with a Perodua Alza. The accident killed 15 students, sparking calls for improved bus safety.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Operators call for bus, trucking safety reforms
PETALING JAYA: Industry operators have called for comprehensive reforms to improve safety standards in the bus and trucking industry. Highlighting a gap in the vetting process of heavy vehicle drivers, Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said operators are unable to check if drivers have a criminal record. 'Usually, traffic offences of a potential hire can be easily checked via the police and Road Transport Department. 'However, we cannot check drivers for past drug use or criminal records. It's essential to conduct thorough background checks,' he said in an interview yesterday. Some companies that do not adhere to the industry code of practice might resort to reckless hiring practices due to a shortage of drivers, he added. 'If there are no good drivers available, it's better not to run the business. We must be accountable and practise civic consciousness,' Ng said. All drivers, he added, should go through defensive driving lessons and be capable of handling emergency situations, including brake failure, while on the road. 'Defensive driving lessons are essential but not cheap. Perhaps the government can assist. 'Imagine entrusting a half-million ringgit vehicle to an incompetent driver,' he added. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said its members practise a stringent hiring process. 'We require drivers to have a full E licence of more than five years, a Public Service Vehicle licence of at least three years, and practical bus driving experience of two years. 'The process includes background checks, interviews, test drives and health screenings. 'Only those who meet our rigorous standards are employed, and they initially work alongside senior drivers to learn the routes,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar has called for a comprehensive driver card system to track driver movements between companies and ensure that any malpractice is monitored. 'It's a proven method used with taxi drivers and could significantly improve safety standards,' he said. 'We have chartered, school, factory, institution and agencies, tour buses and more,' he said. He also called for more training given to aspiring drivers, especially those from the B40 group. 'We are short by 5,000 drivers annually, impacting the movement of goods and people, which can dampen the economy.' He noted that engagement with the Transport Ministry has seen 1,000 training spots offered for free. 'We are thankful for that, but we need more support. We hope the number of spots can be increased. This is crucial for economic stability,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar said operators need the authorities to collaborate on implementing solutions. 'With the introduction of a driver card system and increased training initiatives, the industry can expect a significant reduction in bus-related accidents,' he added.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Doubts over speed limiter reliability for heavy vehicles
PETALING JAYA: Industry stakeholders have voiced concerns over the reliability of speed limiters currently available in the market, amid the government's drafting of a mandatory speed limiter policy for heavy vehicles. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali noted that there is no reliable speed limiter currently available on the market. Safety in mind: Mohamad Ashfar (left) and Ng. 'These devices can be manipulated. Some attempts have been made, but they did not function properly,' he said. He said the complexities of implementing speed limiters stem from the fact that buses and lorries in the country operate on three different types of engines. 'There are three types of engines: Euro 2, Euro 3 and Euro 5. Euro 2 engines use mechanical fuel pumps, which can be fitted with speed limiters, but these are not accurate and can be easily manipulated. 'Euro 3 and Euro 5 engines, on the other hand, use electronic fuel pumps and operate on a computer system, allowing manufacturers to programme their in-built speed limiters electronically,' he said, adding that older buses and lorries typically run on Euro 2 engines. Mohamad Ashfar pointed out that the inefficiency of installing speed limiters on Euro 2 buses and lorries, emphasising that 'it is a waste of money because they can be manipulated'. 'These older-engine vehicles will have to rely more on drivers' awareness for speed safety.' However, he reiterated support for initiatives aimed at improving road safety for all users, not just buses. 'We support anything that enhances road safety. Speed limiters already exist in newer buses, but we need more details about the limiters the ministry is proposing to implement. 'As stakeholders, we want to contribute our input,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar also backed the idea of banning heavy vehicles from the outer lanes, as 'roads are narrow, and vehicles are getting larger'. 'Highway authorities should consider the extra space required for safe driving,' he said. Reiterating his call for the government to provide free training for aspiring drivers, particularly within the B40 income group, he said such measures could address the driver shortage. 'There is a dire shortage of drivers – not just in Peninsular Malaysia, but also in Sabah and Sarawak. Many are deterred by the high costs of obtaining an E licence, which range from RM4,000 to RM5,000,' he said. He urged the Human Resources Ministry to provide training support for budding drivers. 'It's a skill that requires long-term investment, and the government should prioritise it to ensure the economy can efficiently transport people and goods,' he said. Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said speed limiters should be widely adopted in heavy vehicles as a vital measure to enhance road safety nationwide. He said speed limiters are calibrated by truck manufacturers to align with preferred speed limits, typically setting the maximum highway speed at 80kph. 'The manufacturer determines the setting, and during each service, they ensure it hasn't been tampered with. Once set, it cannot be easily altered,' he said. Ng noted that, despite earlier proposals for mandatory speed limiters, full implementation has yet to occur. He said over half of their members nationwide have equipped their entire fleets with speed limiters and are encouraging others to do the same. 'It's a relatively inexpensive, one-time installation that serves as a deterrent against excessive speeding,' Ng said.
