MIRI: Miri Bus Management Co Sdn Bhd has come to its defence on the recent announcement to pull out some of its routes as it is a decision jointly made by three companies, namely Miri City Bus, Miri Belait and Miri Transport Co Sdn Bhd.
Speaking at a press conference recently, its chairman Tan Jin Kok said members of the public had been given the wrong perception; assuming that Miri Transport Co Sdn Bhd was the only company suffering from the huge operational loss.
“Even worse when Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong, in his speech at the DUN sitting recently, saying that Miri Transport Co was forced to terminate its bus routes.
“The truth is that all these three companies are managed and operate under Miri Bus Management Co Sdn Bhd. The huge losses suffered are equally experienced by all, and hence the decision to pull a stop to routes with the least passenger loads,” he said.
Tan said the 20 sen fuel hike which was recently announced by the government was one of the reasons contributing to the changes.
“Thus, cutting off the 20 sen off the fuel subsidy means we have to put an extra RM30,000 to cover the expenses. Not only we couldn’t make any profit, we are actually suffering ultimate losses that could lead to many other problems like cutting manpower and terminate route with the least passenger loads,” he said.
Tan hoped the government would step in to help in terms of increasing fuel subsidy for the bus companies.
“At this point in its decade-long history, Miri Bus Management Co Sdn Bhd hopes to continue its service as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR). Even though with almost no profit, we hope our little effort would enable low income commuters to travel in peace,” he added.