JPJ gets tough with express buses, drivers

2

KUCHING: Express buses will be checked at their depots to ensure they are roadworthy.

This is one of the measures adopted during a discussion between Road Transport Department (JPJ) and express bus operators and drivers to reduce road accidents this Hari Raya season.

According to a statement from the department yesterday, the meeting was conducted by state JPJ deputy director Kuek Jui Hock and was attended by 11 express bus operators from all over the state, including Kuching Sentral manager Stanley Ong Phang Loon.

The statement said the inspection will be on tyres, brakes and other technical parts.

It also said express bus drivers and second drivers will be checked at four main express bus terminals; namely Kuching Sentral and terminals in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

To ensure that safety rules are strictly adhered to, the statement further said JPJ will station four enforcement officers at every terminal, who will also check log books to ensure that drivers are not on the wheel more than eight hours in a day.

“There will also be inspections on brakes and tyres for buses which have travelled more than 300 km or four hours. These inspections are for buses which are not inspected at the depots,” it said.

Besides that, the statement said JPJ will work with anti-narcotics police and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) to conduct urine checks on express bus drivers.

“We will also have JPJ officers disguising as passengers. The operations and investigation unit will be taking photos of buses or drivers that commit offences,” it added.

The statement listed the offences as beating the red light, overtaking at double lines, driving on emergency lanes and using mobile phones while driving,

Members of the public may lodge complaints with photos on road offences to [email protected].