Bus fleet likely to be suspended
PUTRAJAYA: The inquiry into the case of a bus company responsible
for four fatal accidents in the last four months yesterday found
that it had breached most of the provisions of the Safety, Health
and Environment Code of Practice for public transportation.
For the slew of offences, the company, Konsortium Bas Ekspres
Semenanjung (KBES), can expect its 232 licences -- one for each of
its buses -- to be suspended for at least a month.
Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar
said this punishment, likely to be meted out by the Commercial
Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) soon, would serve as a warning to
KBES to buck up and rectify its problems.
"We will call them back after a month to see if they are abiding by
the law. If they comply, we will continue to put them under close
supervision for two months... if they fail, they can expect to stop
their operations as their licences may be revoked."
Earlier, KBES chairman Abdul Jalil Maarof sat for four hours before
the inquiry board. Looking solemn as he left the inquiry room, he
said that the company would try to overcome its shortcomings.
He hoped that the ministry would consider giving the company time
to iron out its problems, including the difficulties in finding
employable express bus drivers.
This, he said, had forced the company to overwork its drivers,
allowing those involved in accidents to continue driving.
Abdul Jalil said management problems had also hindered the company
from functioning properly.
Asked if the company had initiated the payment of compensation to
victims of the accidents, he said it had yet to do so.
CVLB investigations revealed that since December, KBES had been
responsible for four accidents which resulted in six deaths and
injuries to 19 passengers.
The latest occurred at Km265.1 of the North-South Expressway this
month in which a passenger was killed and 16 injured.
Noh also announced that all express bus companies would have to
install global positioning systems in their vehicles.
They will then be obliged to monitor their buses and drivers to
ensure that the law was not flouted.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2215873/Article/index_html