Monday August 7, 2006
BUG: Get new bus operators
PENANG: Commuters irked by the inefficiency of bus companies want the Government to invite new operators to provide the service.
A group calling themselves Bus Users Group (BUG) said the present operators should not be allowed to provide the services anymore.
“No more second chance to condemned buses and operators,” they said at the second public discussion on the bus system at Weld Quay here yesterday.
BUG committee member Joachim Xavier said the Government should either call for open tenders for new operators to run the services or give permits to the state government to own buses.
He said the present operators had failed to conform to rules when issuing tickets and keep- ing the buses clean and in good order.
Joachim said he was appalled to see a stage bus on Saturday night with only one headlight functioning and that such non-compliance was allowed to go on for too long.
He said Citizens for Public Transport (Cepat) group, of which BUG is a member, had spoken to lawyers on legal action against the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) for allegedly failing to regulate and supervise the bus system.
“This suggestion was put on hold when the state government asked for a chance to set things right with a revamp on April 1 but now that it has failed, Cepat is reconsidering taking legal action,” he said.
In The Star report on July 19, CVLB chairman Markiman Kobiran said the board and the state government had agreed to give bus companies another chance by providing help before taking drastic measures, like phasing them out.
BUG committee member Ong Boon Keong said although the state was given a go-ahead for the monorail and second bridge projects, the government should continue to give priority on improving the bus system.
The group holds monthly public discussions at its office at 60, Weld Quay on the first Sunday of every month.
For details, check the website www.penangwatch.net or call 04-2287784.
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