Bus operators need incentives, subsidies to survive, says group

The current monthly subsidised diesel quotas for express buses and interim stage buses stand at 2,880 litres and 1,440 litres, respectively. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Ashfar Ali has pleaded with the government to consider allocating funds for salary incentives and diesel subsidies in its 2024 budget.

Ashfar said operators had been running at a loss, and many were forced to cease operations after the enforcement of the movement control order during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The bus providers’ income has been decreasing, leading to situations where they cannot offer suitable wages to drivers,” he said in a statement.

Ashfar called on the government to provide a training scheme for prospective bus and lorry drivers that covers the full cost of getting an E-class and PSV-class licences as well as an added salary incentive of RM500 per month while the training programme is ongoing as there will be a shortage of drivers.

He also urged the government to increase the diesel subsidy and increase the monthly quotas of subsidised diesel for operators.

“Reduced diesel prices and increased monthly subsidised diesel quotas can also help operators sustain their operations.”

Currently, the price of subsidised diesel is at RM1.88 per litre. PMBOA urged the government to reduce it to RM1.50 per litre.

The current monthly subsidised diesel quotas for express buses and interim stage buses stand at 2,880 litres and 1,440 litres, respectively.

Ashfar said the quotas should be increased to 6,000 litres for express buses, and 4,000 litres for interim stage buses.

Among other initiatives PMBOA has suggested are training schemes and seminars for drivers and operators, subsidies for terminal and bay charges, tax exemptions for operators, a review of the Interim Stage Bus Support Fund and Stage Bus Service Transformation schemes, electrical vehicle incentives, and public transportation endorsement campaigns.

“We hope the government will consider and fulfil our request in the 2024 budget to help bus industry entrepreneurs so that they can better serve the citizens,” he said. - FMT