Saturday April 12, 2008
PENANG has lodged a complaint to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board’s (CVLB) over errant bus operators who leased out their vehicles.
On Wednesday, a letter was sent to board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran, state Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said in a press statement yesterday.
Among the points highlighted were that all bus operators on the island except for Rapid Pe-nang had admitted to practising the lease system; the problem was repeatedly discussed by the board and state and reported in the media; drivers who leased the vehicles could be spotted competing amongst themselves for passengers, parking at bus stops to wait for passengers and only plying lucrative routes; and that the CVLB schedule was re-peatedly ignored by errant drivers which bus operators have little control over.
Chow also urged Markiman to address the bus lease system problem in the state.
“The state will give the CVLB its full support and we are confident that with the commitment of the board and Entrepreneurial Development and Co-operative Ministry, the state’s public transportation system can be improved,” the statement read.
On April 7, it was reported that the CVLB had “not received any official complaint from any par-ty” regarding the problematic lease scheme among bus operators in the state.
Markiman reportedly said that if details including the name and number of the bus companies practising the lease system were disclosed, the board would take necessary action.
I’ve taken before the public buses b4 RapidPg. There are honest drivers who rent this buses to try to earn a living. But it’s a “dog eat dog” world as they “fight” for passengers.
En Markiman, I believe if you sit incognito in one of these buses, you will understand the concern offered by the rakyat P.Pinang.
Comment by boobear — Thursday, 17-04-2008 @ 23: 11.50
I’ve taken before the public buses b4 RapidPg. There are honest drivers who rent this buses to try to earn a living. But it’s a “dog eat dog” world as they “fight” for passengers.
En Markiman, I believe if you sit incognito in one of these buses, you will understand the concern offered by the rakyat P.Pinang.
Comment by boobear — Thursday, 17-04-2008 @ 23: 14.54
There is limited choices available for the older bus companies. They should be prepared to phase out the old buses gradually and hand over the business to Rapid Penang or form a viable bus consortium to compete.
Comment by kalama — Saturday, 19-04-2008 @ 02: 47.22
In the end, it’s down to who having the “guts” to make a final decision. There will be the “winners” and “losers”. But, as things are going, the Rakyat in Penang is the one that benefits more if RapidPg gets the nod. But trust the “victims” to seek redress “elsewhere”…
Comment by boobear — Saturday, 19-04-2008 @ 05: 34.08