MIRI: The recent fuel hike of 20 sen has proven to be the last straw for Miri Transport Co Sdn Bhd which will pull out three of its city stage bus routes to cut losses.
Yeo reveals that the three stage bus routes which serve Bakam, Sungai Rait and Lutong from city central will be stopped, beginning from Dec 2014.
Making the announcement yesterday, its general manager Yeo Yow Shun revealed that the three stage bus routes to Bakam, Sungai Rait and Lutong from city central will be stopped, urging commuters in these areas to take note of the stoppage.
“It is a very difficult decision. However, we do not have much of a choice. Owing to the escalating maintenance and operating costs, fuel hike, drop in demand and uncooperative passengers as well as a shortage of drivers, the situation has taken its toll on the company. By putting a halt to the routes in least demand, we could at least cut down on our losses,” he told a press conference.
Yeo revealed that three of its sub-company, namely Miri Belait, Miri City Bus and Miri Transport, are facing an estimated loss of RM120,000 monthly, making the company struggling to make ends meet.
Naming the seven other routes which were pulled out of service since early this year up to October, including Tanjong Lobang, Riam and airport, Lambir, Pujut Corner and hospital, Piasau Link/ Piasau Garden/Piasau Utara, Krokop and hospital, Yeo said the terminated routes are notably those in south and central areas of Miri.
“Except for Boulevard and Taman Tunku where there is still high demand (for buses) among the residents, the remaining routes after December 2014, which we will still service are in the North like Permyjaya, Senadin, Tudan, Kuala Baram and Pujut 4/7,” he said.
As for the bus fare, Yeo assured that the rate would still remain the same to ease the people’s burden.
“In fact, we had lowered the price from the supposedly RM3.70 to RM3.20 which we maintained for over five years. The 50 sen really does make a difference to those with lower income. Moreover, I do feel that operating a public bus service doesn’t count on how much profit we are making anymore. Besides helping people we are coping so as not to face any losses,” he remarked.
Yeo also hoped the government would step in to assist bus operators to make it a win-win situation for the people and bus operators.
“Should business get better, with more passenger loads, we could create more and better job opportunities. It really does make a huge difference,” he said.