Report: Driver shortage, bad system to blame for bus woes in Klang Valley

© Provided by The Malay Mail Online The report said there is currently no arrangement between competing bus operators to spread out their coverage, due to their tendency to gravitate towards more profitable routes.KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — The bus network in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area continues to be problematic despite efforts to improve the service, due to the lack of coordination between bus operators and a severe shortage of drivers, the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) 2014 annual report said.

The report said there is currently no arrangement between competing bus operators to spread out their coverage, due to their tendency to gravitate towards more profitable routes and neglecting other routes.

"As a result, bus coverage within the region is not uniform, thereby affecting the accessibility and connectivity of the bus service," the report said.

The report added that there is an estimated shortage of some 500 stage bus drivers, meaning that there are fewer buses than needed plying routes in Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas.

To deal with the problem, Putrajaya struck a deal with all bus operators last year to have them committed to servicing their assigned routes starting this year, the report said.

To keep tabs on the operators, all buses will be fitted with global positioning system (GPS) units, allowing real-time monitoring of their locations by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) from its soon-to-be operational command and control (C&C) centre.

"Once online, the C&C centre will monitor the performance of all 1,500 stage buses within the Klang Valley and provide commuter-related information through 24 passenger information display (PID) panels already installed at selected bus terminals within the region." -MM