KUCHING: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin urged bus operators to improve their services to encourage the people to use public transportation to solve traffic congestion.
“It is important for bus services to be reliable and punctual along with providing comfort to passengers.
“Therefore, we hope that bus companies will not only improve their services but also upgrade their buses,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony of the Interim Assistance Fund Agreement for Stop Bus Operators (DBSPB) at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar here today.
In line with this, he pointed out that a total of RM150 million have been allocated for the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) under Budget 2023 for Sarawak, Sabah, and Melaka to assist bus companies and operators to improve their quality of services and purchase new buses.
Lee hoped the bus operators would work together with the state government to encourage more people to use public transportation.
“This bus service is a much needed public service to the people and plays an important role.
“With the state government’s plan to modernise public service through the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), consumers will still need this service to get to another destination after getting off from the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART).
“That is why, to further promote its usage from here, our ministry had introduced the RM1 flat rate bus fare programme to help reduce the passengers’ financial burden,” he said.
For the record, a total of 12 stage bus companies in the state received DNSPB aid amounting to RM4,930,000 for the 2023-2025 period.
The fund allocated by the federal government will benefit 147 registered buses.
The agreement was signed by Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) director Masitah Annuar with the managers of the bus companies.
The bus companies receiving the funds are City Public Link Bus Services Sdn Bhd, Kiatamas Express Sdn Bhd, Petra Jaya Transport (S) Sdn Bhd, Odor Transport Company Sdn Bhd, Borneo Amalgamated Transport Co. Bhd, Lanang Road Bus Company Berhad, Rejang Transport Sdn Bhd, Teku Road Bus Co. Pte Ltd, Sungei Red Bus Berhad; Miri City Bus Sdn Bhd, Miri Belait Transport Company Sdn Bhd, and Miri Transport Co. Pte Ltd.
