Wong at his office at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar. He assumes duty officially as the new LPKP Sarawak chairman today. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING: The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak is ready to assist the Sarawak government in the event of any changes made to conditions of existing school bus licenses that may affect its upcoming free school bus service, its newly appointed chairman Wong King Wei said.
He viewed the free school bus service, which was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the tabling of the State Budget 2020 last year, as a good programme that benefits the people.
“At the moment, it has nothing to do with CVLB because they are using existing school bus licenses.
“As long as there is no breaching of any condition of existing school bus licenses and we always welcome those who come up with initiatives to benefit the rakyat,” he told a press conference after reporting for duty at CVLB Sarawak headquarters at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar here today.
Wong, who is also Padungan assemblyman, said if the state governments needs to change conditions of its existing school bus license to cater for its free school bus service, CVLB Sarawak is ready to facilitate them.
“I believe there are certain rules imposed as conditions when issuing licenses for school buses.
“If there is a change of condition on this in order for the free school bus service to be run in a more legal way, by all means, just raise it to me personally, follow up with an application and we will definitely facilitate because it is a good programme,” he said.
On Sunday, Abang Johari said the free school bus service is expected to commence in April.
He said details on this free service have been completed and the state government needs RM4 million to implement this initiative.
The free school bus service is based on the ‘hop-on, hop-off’ concept where students can board the bus to go to their respective schools on the route provided.