Bimp-Eaga bus driver log book to boost safety
KOTA KINABALU: The implementation of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asean Growth Area (BimpEaga) bus driver log book will further boost the standard of safety and the procedures of Sabah's express bus entrepreneurs and drivers who obtained approval to operate outside the state via the Bimp-Eaga platform.
Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Bobbey Suan said the implementation of the log book was also one of the initiatives at regional level aimed at recording the entry and exit journeys of express buses in providing the best service and simultaneously ensure passenger safety.
“I hope making the Bimp-Eaga bus driver log book compulsory will help monitor the operations of Sabah express buses in the BimpEaga area.
“The entrepreneurs and bus drivers under Bimp-Eaga are Sabah and Malaysia's mini ambassadors. As such, they should safeguard the good image of the state and nation when outside the state,” he said when launching the Bimp-Eaga bus driver log book here yesterday.
The Bimp-Eaga bus drivers log book is a control mechanism to licence holders to give the best service to passengers, and ensure the safety of passengers and drivers other than instilling the discipline of entrepreneurs and bus drivers in obeying the law.
The log book implementation is also to ensure bus drivers are always physically and mentally sound when driving by changing drivers every four hours of non-stop journey or after 300km of travel.
To date, two companies have obtained licences to operate express buses under the Bimp-Eaga platform in Sabah, and are allowed to pass through Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam.
He said Malaysia's involvement, specifically Sabah and Sarawak on the Bimp-Eaga stage was an opportunity to ensure economic development and the people's safety.
Bobbey said heavy vehicles such as lorries carrying more than the allowed load specifications contribute to the poor condition of roads in Sabah.
"We ask for the cooperation of all parties, especially these road users, to comply with the set regulations and do not go over the load," said Bobbey in response to questions posed by the press.
"There are also modified lorries; we have to follow the rules. If we follow all these rules, I think we will be safe," he added.
Bobbey said the state government was also continuously monitoring the state road conditions and on the lookout for needed improvements and maintenance.
He added that government district engineers were also dedicated throughout the state, mainly to monitor on existing roads done by Public Works Department (JKR) and government agencies.
"We also ask for the cooperation of all parties to report on bad roads," said Bobbey.
He also reminded that people should take into account the environmental conditions such as mists when it comes to safety precautions.
Meanwhile, Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) chairman Datuk Raime Unggi said the board always backed the noble efforts of Bimp-Eaga via the transportation cluster, and hoped member nations would ensure security to cross-border public transportation.