Waive interest on loans to small bus operators, govt urged

 

The Malaysia Bus Association Secretariat says some 300 small bus operators have left the business due to the pandemic.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Bus Association Secretariat (SGBM) has urged the government to help small bus operators in Johor by waiving interest on their loans to help settle outstanding credit accumulated following the Covid-19 pandemic.

SGBM chairman R Thiagarajan said many small bus operators were from the B40 group and were struggling to pay off their vehicle instalments.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have used up at least three to four years of our savings because we were not able to work, especially ferrying workers from Johor to Singapore.

“Most operators can’t even afford to pay for their bus maintenance now,” he told FMT, adding that at least 300 bus operators had left the business.

SGBM had about 25,000 members throughout the country and about 2,000 in Johor before the pandemic. Small bus operators offer transportation services for commuters, factories and tour groups.

Thiagarajan said it was difficult to see bus operators who used to be bosses of their own business switch to other sectors.

He also said some even had to rely on food baskets so their families could survive.

He pointed out that with so many bus operators and drivers leaving the business, he was worried that the quality of service would deteriorate.

“We don’t have enough drivers. How can we provide the best service even with the reopening of the border?

“Many of my members have hired new drivers and they are inexperienced. If we cannot provide good service, this will definitely affect the country’s tourism image.

“The government has to step up and provide incentives or training to help solve this issue,” he said.

Thiagarajan also said it was hard for bus operators to apply for loans because they were labelled as a “risky industry”.

On the reopening of the country’s borders on April 1, Thiagarajan welcomed the government’s decision but hoped for more clarification.

“Will the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) still be implemented? The government needs to be clear on the process and not wait until the last minute to announce SOPs because we have to be prepared.

“We hope that ferrying travellers from Johor to Singapore and vice versa will be much easier once the border reopens,” he said. - FMT