Rosnah (standing, sixth right) and association members in a photo call with JPJ Miri officers following their meeting on Jan 11.
MIRI: Miri City School Buses Association vows to wage an all-out campaign against those who provide illegal transport service for students in the city.
Its deputy chairperson Rusnah Abdul Hadi said the association has had it with the issue and will take a more ‘aggressive’ stance against such operators.
“The association held a dialogue session with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Miri branch
on Jan 11, during which JPJ suggested that we run a campaign to educate parents on the importance of using legal school bus service for the safety of their children,” she told The Borneo Post yesterday.
She added the matter will be brought up during the association’s next annual general meeting this Jan 19 and that the campaign will begin after getting approval from its members.
Rusnah disclosed that JPJ had also suggested the association organise a dialogue with the parent-teacher associations of schools here, as well as with community leaders.
“The illegal operation of school van services places licensed school bus operators in Miri and across the state in a very difficult position as it affects our income.
“The number of people providing such illegal transportation service for students keeps increasing. With our income affected, some
members find it difficult to cover the cost of fuel, maintenance and even servicing their bank loan.”
She added that legal operators are required to have insurance coverage for passengers, something
which unlicensed operators do not provide.
“We provide legitimate and licensed service to our customers but in the end, we lose out to those running their operations without permit or insurance. This is totally unfair and frustrating for us.”