PETALING JAYA, 29 Mar: Selayang Member of Parliament, William Leong revealed that Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) claims that the Rapid KL bus company owned by Kumpulan Prasarana Negara Berhad is the reason why members of the association are facing bankruptcy.
During the press conference, William revealed a letter of complaint from PMBOA to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) which was ignored.
In the letter dated 9 January from PMBOA to SPAD, the association complained that its members could not compete with the Rapid buses, which has plans to expand the Rapid bus service throughout the country.
At this time, Rapid buses generate a profit of RM180 million, but receives a subsidy of RM280 million compared to stage bus company operators who have not received subsidies.
William also informed that of Pakatan Rakyat captures Putrajaya, stage bus operators will be given an appropriate role in helping the Rapid bus service.
He said the failure of stage bus companies leading to acquisition by Prasarana stems from the problem of poor policies.
“What is needed is a system of corridors where a company which is given high-income routes must be required to go through routes that are less profitable.
“If three companies are allowed to compete only for high-income routes, then they will not provide services to other routes,” he said.
In addition, stage bus operators will still play a role in transporting passengers, for example, from Petaling Jaya and surrounding areas of the city.
“Then in the city, there are bus services (state-owned), therefore both of these operations will not be competing with each other,” he said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.
Rapid currently operates in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and was recently launched in Kuantan.
He added that PR will also ensure service routes for stage bus companies so that these companies can obtain loans from banks to increase the number of their buses.