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New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Bus drivers struggle on RM700 basic pay, rely on overtime
KUALA LUMPUR: With a basic salary as low as RM700 a month, or sometimes none, bus drivers depend heavily on travel allowances and overtime, often sacrificing their days off just to cover living expenses. A 34-year-old tour bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mior, said he relied entirely on commissions and the distance travelled, based on his customers' requests. "My basic salary is only RM700 a month. I receive a 15 per cent commission for each bus rental, while the remaining 85 per cent goes to the employer or tour bus owner. "If I take on many long-distance trips, I can earn up to RM3,000 to RM4,000 a month, with only five or six days off. "But if I take on shorter trips, I earn around RM2,000. "Based on last year's records, the fewest days off I had in a month was three," he said when contacted. Mior earns about RM400 for a trip from Parit to Seri Iskandar, Johor. A journey from Seri Iskandar to Kuala Lumpur, including sightseeing with his passengers, brings in about RM1,800. With a 15 per cent commission per rental, he pockets an additional RM60 for the first trip and RM270 for the latter. However, a 29-year-old bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mamat, claimed his company did not provide any basic salary. "For a trip from Manjung to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), I earn about RM50. I can make around RM100 a day for a return trip. "If I have four days off a month, I earn about RM2,600. If I work without any days off, I can make RM3,000," he said, adding that he still needed to apply for leave whenever necessary. He however said some express bus companies provide a basic salary of RM1,700, including travel allowances. Previously, Bumiputera Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said some companies allowed their drivers to work up to 28 days a month due to a shortage of drivers. He said the arrangement was mutually agreed upon by both the company and the drivers for their shared benefit. Zainal also said that bus drivers typically earn a basic salary of RM1,700 and have to rely on travel allowances and overtime to supplement their income.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Bus driver shortage sees some working up to 28 days a month
KUALA LUMPUR: Some bus operators in Malaysia allow drivers to work up to 28 days a month due to a severe manpower shortage. Bumiputera Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said this is made worse by drivers who often volunteer to work extra days to earn more. "Typically, bus drivers work 20 days a month with 10 days off. But there are cases where they work nearly the entire month — up to 28 days — if they agree to it," he told Berita Harian. He said the arrangement is made with the mutual consent of both the company and the driver, and usually begins with the employer asking whether the driver is willing to work during their off days. "This often happens because many companies are struggling to find enough qualified drivers," he added. Previously, Berita Harian reported that many bus drivers in Malaysia are senior citizens, which raises concerns about their safety due to slower reflexes, declining vision and hearing, and increased fatigue. Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua warned that older drivers are also more likely to suffer from sudden health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart attacks while driving, putting passengers at risk. Zainal said most bus drivers receive a basic monthly salary of RM1,700 and depend heavily on travel allowances and overtime to boost their income. "On average, drivers can earn between RM3,000 and RM5,000 a month. However, the calculation of allowances and overtime varies between companies," he said. "For chartered bus drivers, allowances are based mostly on distance travelled, while express bus drivers earn through a mix of travel and overtime payments." He added that most companies do not set a fixed number of trips per day for their drivers and ensure that they receive sufficient rest between journeys. "Drivers are usually given a break of up to six hours before starting their next trip. If the bus needs to continue its route sooner, the company will assign a new driver from the depot," he said. "So there's no issue of drivers being overworked or rushing to complete trips, as proper rest is prioritised."
