‘Second bus driver a must for long distance trips’

KOTA BARU: Express bus companies must always provide a second driver, especially for long distance travel, to ensure the safety of passengers, says Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) operations section chief Mohd Hasnor Kutik.

“For trips exceeding 300km or equivalent to four hours of driving, having a second driver is a must.

“This is mandatory for express bus operators to ensure drivers get adequate rest.

“There have been cases, including a bus company that cited reasons such as the driver was unwell, hence the failure to provide a second driver.

“There are also drivers who were found driving alone because they wanted more commission compared with driving with a second driver,” he said after inspecting express buses during the Kelantan JPJ Special Enforcement operation at Lembah Sireh Bus Terminal here yesterday.

Mohd Hasnor said although no bus company had been found committing such an offence this year, the rules must always be followed.

On the operation, he said it involved 36 officers and personnel from the state Health Department and Immigration Department.

He said they focused on public service vehicles to detect technical errors such as failure to provide record books, failure to provide a second driver, and brake and tyre conditions which did not follow JPJ standards.

A total of 34 express buses from 11 companies were inspected and four offences were detected by JPJ while six offences were detected by the Health Department involving drivers who failed to comply with Covid-19 SOP such as not wearing face masks.

Mohd Hasnor said the Immigration Department detained five Thai women, aged between 20 and 30, for failing to produce valid travel documents.