Lihan (fifth left) sounds a horn to launch the association as Dennis (third right) and others look on.
MIRI: Transport owners and transportation service providers in the interior of Baram must project a good and professional image.
Senator Datuk Lihan Jok gave this advice to a group of 80 transport operators and owners in Miri at the launching of Telang Usan Land Transportation Operators Association.
He said it is important for them to be truly professional and not just project a professional image to convince customers as it is vital that they meet the expectations of customers, particularly urbanites and visitors including tourists going into the interior.
“Remember that you are also the front-liner in the service industry. Don’t cheat by creating stories just to get customers and to convince them to hire you. Bear in mind that they are not used to the road system and condition as they (roads) are timber tracks,” reminded Lihan.
Lihan said they also must be truthful to customers on what to expect along the way.
“Let them know that it is rough and tough and a long journey due to bad road conditions and their status as timber tracks. If there are women among the passengers…please tell them that there are no public toilets along the journey.”
Reminding them to be united and to work as a team and be systematic, Lihan said: “To be professional transportation service providers you must set up an operation centre or station similar to other public transport such as taxis and buses. The station will be the focal point and administrative centre where operators could meet and get together.”
As such, Lihan proposed that the association rent a shop in Luak Commercial Centre where Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau’s service centre is located.
“It will also be convenient for customers as they can go there to get information before going to the interior of Baram. The station will also be the focal point for passengers to embark and disembark,” he added.
The association is the brain child of Dennis to ease the problem faced by people in the interior of Baram. Apart from being costly, Dennis said the fares (according to destination) were not standard because there were many operators and depended on economic conditions.
Dennis commended the operators for working together and being united under the association to improve the quality and standard of transportation services in line with the agenda to develop rural areas.
“We must and have to put our minds together to improve the quality and standard of living among the people by bringing development projects into the interior of Baram,” he added.
Dennis, who is the association’s patron, reminded operators to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition, roadworthy and clean all the time besides being polite, neat and punctual.
Earlier, association chairman Cr Jarau Braim disclosed that the operators agreed to standardise the fares according to pick-up point and destination.
Also present at the launching was political secretary to the chief minister Charles Balang Seling.