Published: Thursday September 10, 2009 MYT 6:05:00 PM
Balik kampung rush: 1,200 buses tested for safety
By MARTIN CARVALHO
MALACCA: The Road Transport Department has inspected some 1,200 express buses over the pass 10 days to ensure their roadworthiness during the “balik kampung” (homecoming) exodus this coming Hari Raya.
Its director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said some 2,000 enforcement officers are currently carrying out inspections of the tires and brakes of some 5,081 express buses to ensure they meet road safety requirements.
“The inspections involve some 5,081 buses used by 257 transport companies and we have so far inspected 1,200 since beginning the operation 10 days ago,” he told reporters here after holding a dialogue with express bus operators at Akademi JPJ Tiang Dua on Thursday.
He said 10 buses were found with brake problems while another 79 were found using worn out tires.
“Buses that fail the inspection would be banned from the roads as they pose a danger to passengers and other road users,” he said, adding that express buses above 12 years old would also be prohibited from ferrying passengers.
He said the inspection also covers stress tests for express bus drivers; those found suffering from fatigue would be required by their respective companies to be rested.
He said the inspection also involves several other enforcement agencies such the police and national anti-drug agency to ensure bus drivers are not under the influence of prohibited substances while on the road.
He said his department would not be carrying out inspections via roadblocks so as to avoid inconveniencing other road users during the festive period.
Solah said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) would continue to issue temporary permits to bus companies wishing to rent tour, factory and school buses to meet a surge in demand during the period.
He said operators of these additional buses would be allowed to impose an extra charge of RM3.
He also said that non-essential heavy vehicles would not be allowed to use the busy highways from Sept 18-19 and from Sept 26-27.
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