Bus companies told to end practice of paying drivers based on trips made

SIBU: Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has urged bus companies to put a stop to paying their drivers according to the number of trips made.

He said the practice of paying drivers based on the number of trips made will incline drivers to speed in order to make more trips.

“That is why I think employers must put to a stop to paying the drivers according to the trips they make.

“Employers should ensure drivers are paid a decent (fixed) wage. If they are underpaid – paid according to trips – they (drivers) are bound to do all kinds of things like taking drugs and speeding. This puts passengers at risk,” he told The Borneo Post.

Lee also called on bus passengers to be proactive, and suggested the authorities empower passengers to intervene if they notice their driver is flouting the law.

“I remember one of my recommendations after the Genting bus accident was the empowerment of passengers.

“The authority must empower passengers to intervene. For example, if they see the bus driver not behaving correctly – using mobile phone or taking calls while driving, speeding or disregarding other traffic rules and regulations –they (passengers) must intervene by telling the driver to refrain from such unsafe acts,” he said.