Transform bus and taxi services

TS,Monday 5 December 2011 

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) ought to be congratulated for introducing Operator Licence (OL), which is in line with international best practice. 

It will be interesting to find out whether a licensed operator can increase or decrease its fleet size freely, in tandem with market demand, without having to apply for individual vehicle permits. 

Under the OL, if one bad accident can result in the suspension of the entire fleet, many big operators would soon set up several smaller companies than put all their eggs in one basket. 

A fairer system is to base it on the fleet size of the operator, as well the average hours and distance travelled monthly. The thresholds for various offences must be set at the optimum level to promote a healthy industry. 

In any case, SPAD should facilitate operators to comply. Initial efforts must be geared towards public briefings, management education, driver training and less on prosecution or suspension of errant operators. 

Another effective way of transforming public transportation is to adopt a more holistic approach. One company can be appointed to take charge of, and be responsible for, the entire bus and taxi services needed within a district. 

This company will be made accountable to the local populace and work closely with the local authorities, politicians and community leaders. The appointed operator will welcome feedbacks and proposals for continuous improvements in service and business. 

For too long, the public has had to put up with poor public transportation services. No one seems to be capable of doing anything or to be held accountable. 

SPAD was created to centralise land public transportation matters. However, it will be bogged down if it chooses to micromanage the nitty-gritty. 

In some areas, decentralization would be the better option. The transport requirements for each district are best tackled directly by the communities concerned. 

Apart from setting strategic policies and direction, SPAD can also nurture public transport operators to play a more responsible role in community and nation building. 

Granting of permits for public road transportation to develop entrepreneurship by the defunct Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) has resulted in the present quagmire for SPAD to untangle. 

The same design stickers fixed at the back of all commercial vehicles to facilitate the public to lodge complaints proved to be a sham. The Auditor-General’s Report 2011 revealed that CVLB took up to 756 days to resolve complaints exposes its ineffectiveness. 

SPAD should allow only those who are competent to serve the rakyat without having to turn to the Government for funding or subsidies. 

Successful bus and taxi companies with proven track records and which are eager to play a more dynamic role in providing road transport for a community ought to be given the opportunity. 

They must promote the use of public transportation by ensuring their services are safe, affordable, comfortable, reliable and desirable. 

Transformation requires the participation of all stakeholders. Regular bus and taxi passengers should not be left to fend for themselves but treated as valued customers. 

The development of any industry rests on the organisations involved to engage with their customers and not on coercion by the regulators. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur.