Latest news with #PublicServiceVehicle
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Expand taxi drivers' card to buses, says operator association
KUALA LUMPUR: An association representing express and stage bus operators has urged the government to expand a system presently used to regulate the hiring of taxi drivers to bus companies. Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali, president of the Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association, said they have for years pushed for the introduction of a "driver's card" for buses. "Previously, the Land Public Transport Commission's (SPAD) predecessor, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), accepted our proposal, but nothing materialised," he told the New Straits Times. Ashfar said that when taxi drivers want to quit one company to join another, they need to obtain approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). To get this approval, a driver must submit a letter from their current employer stating that the company has accepted their resignation and a letter of employment from their new company to APAD. "APAD will do a background check on the driver before issuing a new driver's card," he said. "This is the system we have asked the Transport Ministry and APAD to introduce for express buses because it can help weed out the 'bad hats'." Ashfar said the over 100 companies under the PMBOA implement their own vetting system for drivers. "Anyone wanting to join a company that is a member of PMBOA must be an E-Class licence holder for at least five years, a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence holder for at least three years, and have a minimum of two years' experience driving a bus." He said those who qualify attend an interview, and if they pass, the member companies will request a copy of their police, APAD, and Road Transport Department (RTD) records. "We will check what summonses they have received. Only then do we test them on the road, with a company staff member sitting in for the journey," he said. "They also have to do blood sugar and drug tests." Ashfar said even those who are employed have their records checked for summonses each month, while GPS tracking is done daily for every bus. On Monday, a bus carrying 42 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus collided with a Perodua Alza. The accident killed 15 students, sparking calls for improved bus safety.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Gerik crash sparks call for mandatory telematics in transport sector
KUALA LUMPUR: The government must make it mandatory for bus and logistics operators to install a telematics system linked to a driver database as part of their licensing conditions, following the tragic bus crash involving Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Road safety and sustainable transport activist Shahrim Tamrin said this requirement should form part of a broader initiative to develop the Performance Monitoring Hub System (PMHS) for public transport and logistics operators. This follows Transport Minister Anthony Loke's announcement that the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) will develop a database system for express and tour bus drivers, complete with their past records, to improve the safety of public land transportation. "It has been music to our ears that drivers with so many summonses are still allowed to drive heavy vehicles, including lorries, express buses, stage buses, and tour buses," he said in a statement. Shahrim, who is also a former board member of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), said systemic failures over the years involving the transport and home ministries, including the Road Transport Department (RTD), Apad, and the police, had allowed high-risk drivers to slip through the cracks due to the lack of a centralised database for Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and Goods Driving Licence (GDL) holders. He said the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) had attempted to address this issue with the introduction of the Driver Information System (DIS) in 2013 for taxi drivers. "The DIS allowed driver screening based on merit or demerit, tracked traffic and criminal offences, and enabled public verification of a driver's status. "In 2017, Spad tried to implement a centralised database system — known as the Drivers and Commercial Vehicles Information System (DCVIS) — based on the DIS template for taxis, to cover heavy vehicles in the transportation and logistics sector, including express buses, tour buses, lorries, haulage, and stage buses." He said the plan was to integrate the system with an RFID-enabled telematics device in the vehicle so that only drivers with clean records could start the journey. "In other words, if the system found that the drivers or the vehicles had many outstanding summonses, it wouldn't start the engine. "Spad wanted to design DCVIS as a system that prioritised safety from within. "However, the plan was halted when the commission was disbanded in phases at the end of 2018," he said. As such, Shahrim said it was timely for Apad and the Transport Ministry to revive the project halted eight years ago. "I urge the government not to stop at just a driver database system. "This is also an opportunity for Apad and RTD to develop a comprehensive tracking (telematics) and record management system for heavy vehicle operators." He also called on the relevant authorities, including RTD and the police, to collaborate on a comprehensive telematics-linked driver and vehicle monitoring system based on the original DCVIS blueprint, and urged political will at the highest level. "This is where the cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, can step in. "It's time to address this once and for all to make our roads safer," he said. Shahrim also urged for the integration of the Kejara demerit system into Apad's proposed database for a more holistic approach.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- New Straits Times
18 school vans seized in Negri Sembilan crackdown
SEREMBAN: Eighteen school vans were seized by the Negri Sembilan Road Transport Department (RTD) during a state-wide crackdown targeting serious breaches that could endanger the safety of students. The operation, known as Ops Khas Van Haram, uncovered various infringements, including vehicles operating without permits, expired motor vehicle licences, and lapses in insurance and roadworthiness certificates. The crackdown was carried out yesterday in response to public complaints and intelligence reports. Negri Sembilan RTD director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf said the operation, which ran from 5am to 3pm, uncovered 26 vans operating without valid permits. "This operation was launched in response to public complaints and intelligence regarding a rise in the use of private vans for illegal commercial purposes," he said in a statement. "This includes transporting school pupils. Such activities not only violate the law but also pose serious safety risks to passengers," he added. Enforcement teams inspected 57 vehicles suspected of operating illegally across Seremban, Rembau, Kuala Pilah and Jempol. "A total of 22 summons notices were issued for various infractions. More significantly, 18 vans were seized under provisions of the Road Transport Act 1987 for further investigation," Hanif said. He added that the most common breach was the misuse of motor vehicle licences, with 26 cases recorded. Other violations included 10 cases involving expired motor vehicle licences and eight cases where vehicles were operating without valid insurance. Hanif said six vans were found with expired Puspakom inspection certificates, casting serious doubt on the roadworthiness of the vehicles. "In terms of driver qualification, we also detected four cases of individuals driving without a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, and one case involving an expired PSV licence," he said.
Hype Malaysia
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hype Malaysia
'We're Resolving The Problem': Maxim Malaysia On APAD Order To Cease Operations
Over the weekend, news outlets reported that e-hailing companies Maxim Malaysia and inDrive Malaysia were issued notices to cease operations by 24th July 2025. After much speculation, Maxim finally speaks out on the issue. On 14th May 2025 (Wednesday), the company released a statement saying it's in discussion with transport authorities about the order to cease operations. Maxim said it'll continue to operate throughout the nation while talks are ongoing. The company said, 'We are currently discussing with the relevant authorities how to promptly resolve this while maintaining the goodwill and reputation we have built over the years.' This statement comes after reports that the land public transport agency (APAD) had issued letters to Maxim and inDrive for allegedly illegal operations. This stems from reported pressure from the Malaysian P-Hailing Riders Association, which claims the companies offered services without complying with existing regulations. Some allegations include drivers not possessing valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses and e-hailing insurance. The two companies are currently appealing APAD's decision, with Transport Minister Anthony Loke having the final say on the two companies' fate. However, Maxim reiterates that drivers under the platform had undergone rigorous inspections by its 'specialised officers' to ensure they complied with guidelines and laws. It also said it would work closely with the government and offer full support until this issue is settled. inDrive has also assured its full compliance with the government on this matter and will continue to engage with authorities to seek further clarification. However, both companies are still in operation until 24th July. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also denied blocking the two platforms' apps in Malaysia, saying it would only block upon request from the Transport Ministry. The cease order sparked conversations online, with netizens having mixed reactions to the situation. While some were in support, others lamented that blocking the apps would allow Grab Malaysia to monopolise the e-hailing industry. What are your thoughts on this? Sources: Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times, MalayMail
The Star
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Pasir Gudang-Kempas Baru passenger train to serve key Johor stretch
Ready, set...: Loke officiating the reopening of the Pasir Gudang-Kempas Baru train track. JOHOR BARU: Passenger train services will soon run along the Pasir Gudang-Kempas Baru route, previously reserved solely for cargo trains, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the new service is expected to be operational within the next six to 12 months. 'Previously, this track only served freight needs, but we have discussed with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) about introducing passenger services as well. 'This is a high-population area with the potential to attract many passengers. As a start, we plan to use KTMB's existing rolling stock to provide the service,' Loke said after the reopening of the line at the Pasir Gudang KTMB station here yesterday. In the meantime, Loke said the Transport Ministry is identifying suitable spots along the 40km stretch to build passenger stops. 'There are currently no stations on this line, so we're planning to set up simple but functional boarding points. These will not be fancy stations but they must be safe and practical for passengers,' he explained. The reopening of the line comes after a six-month closure for upgrades. Originally slated to take two years, the RM55mil project was fast-tracked by halting operations temporarily. 'This allowed us to complete the upgrades earlier, which has tripled the line's cargo capacity and eased congestion in the area,' said Loke. On a separate matter, Loke said the Land Public Transport Agency has issued revocation letters to e-hailing firms InDrive and Maxim. 'Effective July 24, InDrive and Maxim must cease operations in this country. The two companies can file appeals, but the final decision rests with me,' he said in response to questions about calls for the government to take action against the two companies for allegedly operating illegally. The action follows pressure from the Malaysian P-Hailing Association, which accused the platforms of flouting regulations, including allowing drivers without valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences to operate. 'This is not only unfair to drivers who do hold valid PSV licences, but also compromises passenger safety,' the association said in a statement. It also claimed that some drivers on the platforms lack e-hailing insurance and have not undergone vehicle inspections as required by the platform's terms and conditions.
