In time to come, the star-rating achieved by the companies will be put on display inside their buses and at all of their counters nationwide.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye
SIBU: The star-rating system when implemented starting July 1 will put the safety track record of express bus companies under public spotlight.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi reportedly said the star-rating achieved by the companies would be displayed inside their buses and counters nationwide.
The companies would be rated on a scale from zero to five stars based on the level of their services and company management, as well as inspection by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
Abdul Aziz said the star-rating system would not only assess the level of passengers’ safety, but would also help the bus operators to ensure that their vehicles were constantly in good condition by adhering to the periodical maintenance schedule.
He said this when replying to Senator Datuk Jaspal Singh who wanted to know the initiatives taken by the ministry in reducing accident involving express buses at the Dewan Negara sitting.
When contacted yesterday, a member of the National Road Safety Council, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, described it as a good move as it enabled the public to differentiate the services of the respective operators.
“I think it is high time for bus companies to be competitive in terms of providing better service to passengers.
“Better service must include safety, especially on the issue of drivers, regular maintenance, and cleanliness.
“Then, the public will know which bus (operators) don’t have good safety record. And if they don’t have good safety record, I think passengers will think twice about taking a ride in that bus,” Lee said.
He added that it was not just about buses being well equipped or furnished.
Lee hoped that the system would go a long way to reduce the number of bus accidents in the country.
Meanwhile, the latest move by the government bode well with Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association.
Its chairman, Lau Khing Seng, however, wanted to see transparency in the rating process.
Lau said it was important for operators to know how they would be assessed.
He also said it was vital for those with good rating to maintain their standard.
“Doesn’t mean once you get a good rating, you can afford to rest on your laurels,” he said.
He said the rating system was seen as more feasible than meting out punishment on companies when their buses got into trouble.
“Meting out compound or other type of punishment is not the answer to the problem at hand.
“Hence, we have no qualm in adhering to the new system as we see that it could provide the necessary motivation.”
He even suggested a reward or recognition system to motivate those companies having and maintaining a good track record.