Express buses now listed as economy class and executive class

 Buses with 2+2 seats are placed in economy category, while buses with 2+1 seating are in executive category under new rules in force since June 15.

Express bus services are now listed as economy-class or executive-class, depending on the seating arrangement.

PETALING JAYA:

Express buses are now classified as economy class (with 2+2 seating) and executive class (2+1) according to new regulations that took effect on June 15.

The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) said the regulations were aimed at streamlining the classification of services and to strengthen enforcement against operators without involving any increase in fares, Bernama reported.

“Under this new method, an economy category express bus is defined as a bus that has an arrangement of two rows of twin seats (2+2), while an executive category express bus is a bus that has at least one row of single seats (2+1),” Apad said in a statement today.

It said economy-class fares would remain at a maximum rate of RM0.093 per km, while the executive category will have a minimum rate of RM0.15 per km, with a maximum rate not exceeding RM300.

According to an online booking service, fares from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Kuala Lumpur, to Sungai Nibong, Penang, range from RM53.58 to RM65, with some services listed as “VIP” or “Super VIP” at capacities ranging from 24 seats to 45 seats.

Apad said express bus fares had been in effect since 2013. However, a handful of executive category express bus operators had been selling tickets below the minimum fare set, thus causing confusion about the category of services that consumers should receive.

“The clearer classification allows users to identify the service category more easily while also facilitating enforcement against operators who fail to comply with licensing conditions and fare structures, including selling tickets below the minimum rate,” the statement said.

Apad said the government had not increased express bus fares since 2013 despite bus operators facing increased maintenance and operating costs, and higher fuel prices. - FMT