Missing captains: The Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association said there are at least 5,000 bus driver vacancies to be filled. — KK SHAM/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Hopping on a bus to return to your hometown during festive holidays may soon become a thing of the past if nothing is done to halt the declining number of bus drivers.
With at least 5,000 vacancies to fill, Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali has suggested the government offer free training to those interested in becoming bus drivers.
ALSO READ: ‘Even though the pay was good, I never got to see my family’
He said the shortage was expected to become more severe with each passing year.
“Retirement, drivers being lured to work in Singapore and those opting out of the transportation industry have all contributed to the problem,” he told The Star.
Currently, he said a bus driver was paid between RM3,000 and RM6,000 monthly, depending on the operator and route involved.
Mohamad Ashfar said there were those who wanted to become bus or lorry drivers, but the initial entry costs of up to RM5,000 to obtain a class E licence and PSV (public service vehicle) licence for buses, and GDL (goods driving licence) for lorries, was a hindrance.
The class E licence is for heavy vehicles with unladen weight exceeding 7,500kg. Without a class E licence, a person is not eligible for the PSV bus licence or GDL licence.
He said this also prevented potential drivers from getting the licences, which are a requirement to participate in government programmes such as the MyLesen initiative for the B40 group.
Mohamad Ashfar said bus operators had reached out to the Transport and Human Resources ministries to highlight the issue and seek their assistance on the issue.
“Previously, transport operators would bear the training cost for potential drivers to obtain their bus or lorry driving licences.
“But once the licence was obtained, many of them disappeared, leaving the transport operators who funded them in the lurch,” he said.
Negri Sembilan Lorry Owners Association treasurer Alvin Loke agreed with the free training proposal given the high cost of obtaining the relevant licences, adding that it could cost up to RM2,000 just to take a trailer licence test.
He said this should not be the case, with the industry already facing a decline in the number of lorry drivers.
Road safety expert Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua from Universiti Putra Malaysia said comprehensive training focusing on safe driving skills – such as defensive driving techniques, road safety regulations and handling emergency situations – was crucial.
“By equipping drivers with the necessary skills and knowledge, we can enhance their performance on the road and reduce the risk of accidents,” he added.
In May last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced plans to expand the MyLesen programme to finance those wanting to obtain a PSV licence for buses, in an effort to ensure the bus service industry remained competitive and safe as well as to address the shortage of drivers.
However, applicants must possess a class E licence before they are eligible to apply for the programme.
Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Rospiagos Taha said the programme was being expanded with the department identifying eligible candidates.
“The bus operators will provide the candidates list and JPJ will shortlist the names through the eKasih system.
“Priority is given to those who are from the B40 group.
“The candidates will be given training and the PSV licence for free under the programme, according to the terms and their eligibility,” he said when contacted.
