Latest news with #iSPKP
The Sun
08-07-2025
- The Sun
Make association membership mandatory for operator license applications - Bus Drivers' Coalition
KULAI: The Malaysian School Bus Operators and Drivers Coalition has urged the government to mandate association membership as a requirement for operator license applications to safeguard the safety of students who rely on over 7,000 school bus operators who are not registered with any bus drivers' association. Its president, Dr M Muruga said that currently, those who want to operate a school bus only need to register with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) via the Commercial Vehicle Licensing System ( iSPKP), a method he believes should be reviewed, as approval does not take into account the applicant's experience or record. 'The situation is like a ticking time bomb in terms of road safety, especially for students... as associations are crucial in enhancing operators' awareness of safety issues. 'We're not just a registered association. We offer free safety briefings, maintenance workshops, and work with JPJ and Puspakom. But when we call for a meeting, only 40 people show up, even though we invite hundreds,' he told Bernama today, adding that many operators were hesitant to register despite the annual membership fee being only RM40. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were nearly 18,000 school bus operators in Malaysia, but after the enforcement of the ban on buses older than 30 years, the number dropped to around 12,000 and of these, only 60 per cent are registered with their respective associations. Unofficial statistics show that over 85 per cent of current operators consist of senior citizens and single mothers, especially in states like Sabah and Sarawak, said Muruga, 70, who still drives a school bus with his wife to a plantation school here after more than 30 years. On yesterday's crash involving a school van carrying 22 students on the North-South Expressway near the Bandar Dato Onn northbound exit, Muruga pointed out that such vans were typically suitable for carrying a maximum of 18 primary school children or 12 adults. 'The permitted capacity was exceeded. That's a serious offence. Fortunately, no fatal accident occurred, but if something had, who would be held responsible?' he said. - Bernama
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Apad: Late applications behind Smart Selangor bus being halted
KUALA LUMPUR: The temporary suspension of the Smart Selangor bus service along five routes under the Subang Jaya City Council was not due to delays in processing the relevant applications, according to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad). Instead, Apad said it was due to the late submission of applications by the operator, SKS Coachbuilders Sdn Bhd. In a statement, the agency said its investigation found that the company only submitted the relevant applications on April 25 and 26. Apad confirmed receiving five applications, all of which were processed under standard operating procedures, assessment criteria and approval conditions. They were then tabled at the Licensing Committee Meeting (eJKP) on May 8, receiving conditional approval. 'Apad stresses that the new permit applications were processed within 14 working days, in line with the agency's client charter. 'However, the applicant failed to meet several key requirements, including compliance with GPS installation standards and the submission of valid approval offer letters. 'As a result, conditional approval was granted, pending full compliance,' it said, Bernama reported. Apad confirmed that SKS Coachbuilders fulfilled all required criteria and conditions by May 15. The company received full approval at the eJKP meeting on May 22, following which they were authorised to begin printing the approval offer letters via Apad's iSPKP system from May 23. Residents and commuters in Subang Jaya were left inconvenienced by the sudden suspension of services on routes SJ01, SJ02, SJ03, SJ04 and SJ05, forcing many to seek alternative transport options and incurring additional costs. Claims had surfaced alleging that the disruption was due to delays by Apad in processing the operator's application, which reportedly took nearly two months. However, Apad clarified that the delay was due to the late submission and non-compliance with key requirements by the operator. Apad added that it remains committed to delivering fair and transparent licensing services. 'Therefore, all public and freight transport operators are reminded to strictly comply with the established criteria and conditions. 'Adherence is essential not only to safeguard their operations but also to prevent disruptions that adversely affect commuters who rely on these services daily,' the agency said.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Smart Selangor Bus Suspension Due To Late Application
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- The temporary suspension of the Smart Selangor bus service along five routes under the Subang Jaya City Council was not due to delays in processing by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), but rather the late submission of applications by the operator, SKS Coachbuilders Sdn Bhd. APAD, in a statement, said its investigation found that the company only submitted the relevant applications on April 25 and 26. The agency confirmed receiving five applications, all of which were processed under standard operating procedures, assessment criteria and approval conditions, and then tabled at the Licensing Committee Meeting (eJKP) on May 8, receiving conditional approval. "APAD stresses that the new permit applications were processed within 14 working days, in line with the agency's client charter. "However, the applicant failed to meet several key requirements, including compliance with GPS installation standards and the submission of valid approval offer letters. As a result, conditional approval was granted, pending full compliance," the statement read. APAD confirmed that SKS Coachbuilders fulfilled all required criteria and conditions by May 15, receiving full approval at the eJKP meeting on May 22, following which they were authorised to begin printing the approval offer letters via APAD's iSPKP system from May 23. Earlier, residents and commuters in Subang Jaya were left inconvenienced by the sudden suspension of services on routes SJ01, SJ02, SJ03, SJ04 and SJ05, forcing many to seek alternative transport options and incurring additional costs. Claims had surfaced alleging that the disruption was due to delays by APAD in processing the operator's application, which reportedly took nearly two months. However, APAD clarified that the delay was due to the late submission and non-compliance with key requirements by the operator.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Smart Selangor bus suspension due to late application
KUALA LUMPUR: The temporary suspension of the Smart Selangor bus service along five routes under the Subang Jaya City Council was not due to delays in processing by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), but rather the late submission of applications by the operator, SKS Coachbuilders Sdn Bhd. APAD, in a statement, said its investigation found that the company only submitted the relevant applications on April 25 and 26. The agency confirmed receiving five applications, all of which were processed under standard operating procedures, assessment criteria and approval conditions, and then tabled at the Licensing Committee Meeting (eJKP) on May 8, receiving conditional approval. 'APAD stresses that the new permit applications were processed within 14 working days, in line with the agency's client charter. 'However, the applicant failed to meet several key requirements, including compliance with GPS installation standards and the submission of valid approval offer letters. As a result, conditional approval was granted, pending full compliance,' the statement read. APAD confirmed that SKS Coachbuilders fulfilled all required criteria and conditions by May 15, receiving full approval at the eJKP meeting on May 22, following which they were authorised to begin printing the approval offer letters via APAD's iSPKP system from May 23. Earlier, residents and commuters in Subang Jaya were left inconvenienced by the sudden suspension of services on routes SJ01, SJ02, SJ03, SJ04 and SJ05, forcing many to seek alternative transport options and incurring additional costs. Claims had surfaced alleging that the disruption was due to delays by APAD in processing the operator's application, which reportedly took nearly two months. However, APAD clarified that the delay was due to the late submission and non-compliance with key requirements by the operator. APAD added that it remains committed to delivering fair and transparent licensing services, in line with the core values of Malaysia MADANI, to support the development of a more efficient, safe and competitive public transport system. 'Therefore, all public and freight transport operators are reminded to strictly comply with the established criteria and conditions. Adherence is essential not only to safeguard their operations but also to prevent disruptions that adversely affect commuters who rely on these services daily,' the agency said.
