Guidelines needed for stage bus industry

TS,Sunday October 23 2011 

Since last Saturday, something new and bizarre is taking place in the streets of Kuala Lumpur - at Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin to be exact. 

A government-linked bus company has decided to operate the Cheras route from the bus stand at Sinar Kota, which has long being used by a private bus company. 

Cheras commuters have been happy as they can choose RapidKL buses at Central Market or SJ buses at Sinar Kota. 

In a surprising move, RapidKL shifted some of their buses plying the Cheras route to Sinar Kota, with enforcement officers and auxillary police in tow.

Such highhanded action is uncalled for as the private bus company is operating legitimately. 

It also raises the question as to what are the central roles of the Government and government-linked companies (GLCs) on business and industry. 

As for public transportation, the rakyat would certainly appreciate government intervention in areas where initiative and support from the private sector are lacking. 

GLCs are expected to compete fairly in the marketplace and utilise their resources wisely and not go all out to eliminate efficient private sector players. 

The Government should allow private business to thrive and nurture efficient firms. History has shown that running bus companies by government appointees has never been sustainable. 

Entrepreneurs who are passionate about bus services run SJ successfully. They are in for the long haul and their journey includes introducing new buses with clean engines running on natural gas. 

However, a spanner has now being thrown into the works when they are treated in a manner similar to squatters. 

It will be a great loss if local expertise and capital are transferred overseas when they are much needed back home. 

SJ should not be allowed to disappear into oblivion like the Toong Fong Omnibus Company Berhad that began operations in 1937, which was taken over by Intrakota until it became RapidKL, after receiving bail out by the Government. 

Another pioneer bus company is Len Sen Omnibus Company Limited with a history dating back to 1938 and their operations had reached a level where it could be packaged and franchised to other developing countries. 

As the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has yet to unveil its 20-year master plan, it should include clear guidelines on the roles of GLCs and private enterprise on stage bus operations. 

Without set policies in place, GLC appointees tend to make arbitrary decisions based on expediency, which can undermine the industry. 

We should be mindful that operating a huge fleet of buses by people who do not hold a personal stake in the business can be a recipe for disaster. 

However, all will be well if SPAD choose to place national interest above everything else. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur