Longer time to replace old school buses — Syed Hamid

KUALA PERLIS: It may take some time for school bus operators to replace their old vehicles as most of them are not well off and cannot afford the high monthly repayments for new ones, says Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

The Land Public Transport Commission chairman said the government had given some leeway for school buses to be replaced after 25 years, to reduce the burden of the operators.

“Among the operators are single mothers and individuals who want to make ends meet. For this reason, the government has made it easier to apply for a school bus licence,” he told a press conference after the handing over of 27 buses by MAN Truck & Bus ( M) Sdn Bhd ( TBM) managing director Hartmut Mueller here yesterday.

The A80- model buses will be used by MARA Liner Sdn Bhd ( LSB), which was awarded the contract to operate the myBAS service in Perlis.

In his speech, Syed Hamid said the government had spent RM180 million to provide the myBAS service in five states since its launch in 2015, although the returns on investment was only 30 per cent.

“The aim of myBAS is to provide better access to the public in addition to connecting rural and urban areas as part of (the government’s) social economic responsibility,” he added.

Syed Hamid said 30 buses operating in Perlis covering a distance of 373km through main roads with a frequency of up to 30 minutes, were likely to see up to 30,000 people using the service each month this year.

“We hope the new buses which are more disabled- friendly and fitted with safety belts can attract people to use public services more frequently,” he added. — Bernama