Express bus operators lament being left out of MCO 2.0 cash aid

 

Express bus operators have lamented that their drivers were left out from the aid package for the second movement control order (MCO 2.0).

The Permai (Pakej Bantuan Perlindungan Ekonomi dan Rakyat Malaysia) aid package, unveiled by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 18, had promised RM500 one-off payments to the hardest-hit groups.

This is as the country went into another partial lockdown on Jan 13 to combat a resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The one-off payment covered tour guides, as well as drivers of school buses, tour buses, rental vehicles, and e-hailing vehicles, among others.

Missing from the list are express bus drivers, said Pertubuhan Pengusaha Bas Ekspres Malaysia (PBEM) chairperson Mohd Nazri Md Yusof.

"PBEM calls for a review of the Permai package to take into account feedback from the association to ensure the survival of operators and drivers, particularly in the express bus sector," he said in a statement.

He said the express bus operators are supportive of the government's efforts against Covid-19 but hoped that Putrajaya will also look out for express bus operators and drivers.

Apart from including express bus drivers in the one-off cash aid, Mohd Nazri also urged the government to extend other assistance to them.

This includes loans, grants, a delay on financial blacklisting if bus operators can't meet their obligations during the pandemic, tax reliefs, and diesel subsidies.

He urged the government to engage the express bus industry to hear its concerns. - Mkini