Flying to Malaysia, a safer
option?
The recent fatal accident along Malaysia's North-South highway
involving a tour bus and a lorry has again raised concerns about
the safety of express coaches.
The tragic incident killed a 48 year-old Singaporean and
seriously injured six others.
With budget airlines now bringing passengers to more
destinations in Malaysia at a competitive price, Saifulbahri
Ismail finds out if this is a safer option to travel.
Increasing numbers of Singaporeans are travelling to
Malaysia.
The Malaysian Tourism Ministry recorded some 4.9 million
arrivals from January to May this year, a 36 per cent increase in
the same period last year.
The spike is partly attributed to the open skies agreement
between the two countries which allows budget airlines to mount
flights to various parts of Malaysia.
The emergence of these new players has affected express bus
companies which traditionally services many destinations within the
Peninsula.
The competition is stiff given the comparable rates offered by
these budget carriers.
Then, there's the savings in time.
But that's not all.
38 year-old administrator Mohamed Fawzi Ali is flying to Penang
this weekend.
He says safety is also a factor in deciding which mode of
transport to choose :
"Comparing safety on the road and flight, I think the risk
taking a flight is lower than taking a bus along the highway. In
terms of safety, I think taking a flight is a better option."
The safety standards imposed by the civil aviation authority
also makes flying from Singapore more assuring, according to
another frequent traveller to Malaysia, Al Badahler :
"As far as I know that Changi airport have a very strict rules
about safety standards for the airplane like the maintenance and
everything. So, for me travelling from Singapore taking any
airplane is quite assuring in terms of safety."
Coach operators admit that safety is certainly a concern
especially with the bus industry facing the threat from the
airlines.
Some have acted to ensure the safety of passengers in a bid to
retain customers.
Transtar Travel for example uses a Web-based tracking device on
all its buses.
The driver gets a call immediately if he's detected to be
driving dangerously.
Ismail Abdul Rahman, Director of Hasry Express is mulling if he
should fit speed limiters on his buses.
He's confident that accidents involving express buses would not
have a long term effect on demand :
"In terms of the fatal accident, maybe it will affect a few
days, after that when things get normal, you'll see people
travelling again up and down."
As proof, he says his coaches to Kuala Lumpur are fully booked
for the National Day long weekend.
--938Live
whichever form of tpt u choose, there will always be risks
involved.
