Bus transportation system in Malacca improving
BernamaPublished: Apr 26, 2012 4:32 PM | Updated: Apr 26, 2012 7:42 PM
The taking over of stage bus management by the Malacca state government through its subsidiary, Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd is starting to show positive development since operations began almost two months ago.
The taking over of stage bus management by the Malacca state government through its subsidiary, Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd is starting to show positive development since operations began almost two months ago.
The takeover from 10 private bus operators at a cost of RM7.7 million was an initiative of the Malacca state government under its National Key Result Areas to improve public transportation in the state.
The payment involved RM5.4 million for taking over 110 buses, compensation of RM1.8 million to 118 workers as well as additional compensation to all companies totalling RM500,000.
Even though there were still complaints from commuters, especially on irregular bus services, the overall improvement had been well-received by the bus-dependent community.
Panorama Melaka general manager Mohd Farouk Mohd Sultan, when met by Bernama, said his company was aware of the shortcomings and needed more time to ensure smoother stage bus service.
“After taking over, it was found only 60 of 110 buses were operational daily as the balance were having problems with the engine, battery, air-conditioning and tyres which could compromise the safety of passengers,” he said, adding that Malacca is the first state in Malaysia to take over the management of stage buses.
Mohd Farouk however said since the takeover, the company had added 15 new buses which were leased from Prasarana Negara Berhad at a rate of between RM10,000 to RM13,000 for each bus a month.
He added that apart from that, Panorama Melaka was also taking over the management of 10 Malacca Historical City Council buses and Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council bus service to undertake 31 routes throughout Malacca.
He said some of the routes were not serviced by private bus operators earlier as they were said to be unprofitable.
“We are also providing mobile bus repairing teams in cooperation with Scomi Special Vehicle Sdn Bhd for smooth service,” he said.
The move he said did not end with that as the state government and Panorama Melaka had formulated strategic plan towards the long-term rehabilitation of stage bus services in the state.
80 more buses to be leased
He said the company was also leasing another 80 buses in stages to replace old buses to ensure each bus on the road provided comfortable ride for passengers.
The move of leasing buses he said could be cheaper as the cost of maintenance of leased buses were undertaken fully by the supplier.
“We are also proposing to expand the bus routes from 31 to 69 as well as increasing the frequency with shorter waiting time to 30 minutes for town service and one hour for rural areas,” he said.
He hoped with the transformation by the government, more people especially the professional group would use bus service as a public transportation in Malacca and increase bus commuters from only about five percent now, comprising mostly middle-income groups and students.
- Bernama
The takeover from 10 private bus operators at a cost of RM7.7 million was an initiative of the Malacca state government under its National Key Result Areas to improve public transportation in the state.
The payment involved RM5.4 million for taking over 110 buses, compensation of RM1.8 million to 118 workers as well as additional compensation to all companies totalling RM500,000.
Even though there were still complaints from commuters, especially on irregular bus services, the overall improvement had been well-received by the bus-dependent community.
Panorama Melaka general manager Mohd Farouk Mohd Sultan, when met by Bernama, said his company was aware of the shortcomings and needed more time to ensure smoother stage bus service.
“After taking over, it was found only 60 of 110 buses were operational daily as the balance were having problems with the engine, battery, air-conditioning and tyres which could compromise the safety of passengers,” he said, adding that Malacca is the first state in Malaysia to take over the management of stage buses.
Mohd Farouk however said since the takeover, the company had added 15 new buses which were leased from Prasarana Negara Berhad at a rate of between RM10,000 to RM13,000 for each bus a month.
He added that apart from that, Panorama Melaka was also taking over the management of 10 Malacca Historical City Council buses and Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council bus service to undertake 31 routes throughout Malacca.
He said some of the routes were not serviced by private bus operators earlier as they were said to be unprofitable.
“We are also providing mobile bus repairing teams in cooperation with Scomi Special Vehicle Sdn Bhd for smooth service,” he said.
The move he said did not end with that as the state government and Panorama Melaka had formulated strategic plan towards the long-term rehabilitation of stage bus services in the state.
80 more buses to be leased
He said the company was also leasing another 80 buses in stages to replace old buses to ensure each bus on the road provided comfortable ride for passengers.
The move of leasing buses he said could be cheaper as the cost of maintenance of leased buses were undertaken fully by the supplier.
“We are also proposing to expand the bus routes from 31 to 69 as well as increasing the frequency with shorter waiting time to 30 minutes for town service and one hour for rural areas,” he said.
He hoped with the transformation by the government, more people especially the professional group would use bus service as a public transportation in Malacca and increase bus commuters from only about five percent now, comprising mostly middle-income groups and students.
- Bernama
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