Kota Kinabalu traffic and public order chief DSP Parum Niot inspecting the condition and passengers of an express bus.
KOTA KINABALU: Five express bus drivers were fined by traffic police for ‘overloading passengers’ during an operation in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri balik kampung on Friday.
The five express buses left the Inanam bus terminal between 7.30pm.and 8pm to the east coast towns of Sandakan, Tawau and Semporna.
City police chief ACP M. Chandra said three other bus drivers were also summoned by the police for various offences during the two-hour operation along Jalan Tuaran, in front of Taman Mini Putrajaya in Telipok on June 23.
“Thirty express buses that were heading to the east coast were pulled to the side of the road for inspection by traffic police.
“Eight summonses were issued for various offences which
included two for having fire extinguishers with expired date of usage and one for not having a second driver.
“Five buses were also caught for carrying more passengers which is an offence,” he said yesterday.
Chandra said the operation was to ensure commuter bus operators are following traffic laws to ensure safe travel for those that are heading back to their hometown during the festive celebration.
“We want to see zero fatal accidents involving express buses during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri/Ops Selamat XI.
“To ensure we can achieve this target, we will carry out spot checks and monitor all express buses that are leaving the state capital to the east coast during the coming festive celebration,” he added.
Chandra also said that the operation is to ensure drivers and their co-drivers are physically and mentally fit for the long journey, have valid driver’s license and road tax, aisle and emergency exits are clear of bags and other items at all time, while first aid kit and fire extinguisher are located at the front of the vehicles that can be identified by sign.