Sibu bus operator bemoans poor response to RM1-fare initiative
SIBU: A bus operator here has bemoaned the “rather poor” public response to stage bus services despite the state government’s RM1 flat-rate bus fare initiative which began Monday.
Lanang Bus Transport Company managing director Lau Khing Seng said his fleet of about 10 buses has so far received very few passengers.
“We are operating the usual routes to four destinations – Sibujaya, Lanang, Sibu Hospital and Sentosa, and the Salim area.
“Overall, there are only a few passengers for each route. As such, we have had to stop operating by 5pm even though we are allowed to do so from 7am to 10pm daily,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Last Thursday, state Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin announced that stage buses here would be allowed to resume operations starting Monday under the state government’s RM1 flat-rate fare initiative, subject to strict standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The State Disaster Management Committee had recently decided that urban stage bus services could resume in green and yellow zones, including Sibu, following the shutdown of such service since the Movement Control Order was enforced on March 18.
According to Lau, the poor public response means his company would be making a loss.
“Due to scarcity of commuters, it is best that we stop operating by 5pm as there is no point running empty buses and making more losses,” he lamented.
He said three other bus companies – Sungei Merah Bus Bhd, Borneo Amalgamated Transport Company and Sungai Teku Road Bus Company – are suffering the same fate despite operating fewer buses.
Asked on the reason for the low number of passengers, Lau – also Sarawak Transport Company Association advisor – said the public may not be aware of the low fare offered.
“Perhaps, if given more publicity, there will be better response over time. Nevertheless during this CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order), it is quite a tedious task and unprofitable to operate because of the SOP we have to comply with.”
On the RM1 stage bus service, he said it covers a distance of 30km of the urban area.
“The Sarawak government stated that it would provide subsidies for bus companies at 50 per cent or 100 per cent.
“We are also waiting for an answer. For example, the fee from Sibu Jaya to Sibu town is RM5.90. With the fee set at RM1, the bus companies will make a RM4.90 loss.
“If the government does not provide subsidies, no one will want to do business at a loss,” Lau said.