We want to offer free rides to voters, say stage bus operators

KUALA LUMPUR: Stage bus operators are in talks with the Land Public Transport Commission to offer free bus rides to voters on polling day.

Stage bus sponsor president Basri Baharom, who represents 150 stage bus companies, said there were plans to provide the free service using almost 500 buses throughout the country.

“These stage buses are small-time operators with fewer than 30 buses that operate between the interiors of a state and the city,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Basri said their intention was to show their gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who had helped them with assistance such as the Interim Stage Bus Support Fund since 2012.

The Government, he said, had channelled aid worth RM400mil to them since it was introduced.

“Without this fund, we would not have been able to continue providing bus services to Malaysians in rural areas,” he said.

Basri said he was optimistic that the free bus services would be announced in due time for polling day.

Kulim Baling Road Transport Sdn Bhd chairman Khairilanuar Abdul Rahman said his company was the only one so far that would be providing the free services for those living along the Kulim-Baling route.

“The services will only be given to Malaysian voters. We will charge those who are not voting or who are foreigners,” he said.

Khairilanuar said the buses would not divert off their usual route, adding that voters living around the area could hail the buses down to go to their voting centres that were located along that route.

“There is no booking, just flag the bus down. We will issue a ticket once you are on the bus,” Khairilanuar added.