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New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
