KUCHING: Several school-bus operators have come together to set up the Muara Tuang School Bus Owners Association aimed at promoting greater welfare awareness amongst members.
Habitat for Indigenous and Urban Programme (Hidup) chairman George Young Si Ricord Jr said the bus owners have contacted him and informed him of their plight. As such he had initiated the idea of setting up the association.
“With the setting up of this association, it allows bus owners to address specific challenges especially during the various movement restrictions enforced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which have drastically affected their monthly income and livelihood.
“Thus, through the association, it will provide an avenue for the members to consolidate and strengthen their effort to raise funds from relevant corporate bodies and government agencies,” he said.
George, who is also the association’s advisor and mentor, informed that during the closure of schools last year, majority of the bus owners had to find alternative employment to support their family and the monthly installments of the buses.
“Even with the recent re-opening of schools within the Muara Tuang/Samarahan district, their income has not improved much as many parents are still reluctant to send their children to school,” he said.
To make ends meet, he said most of the bus owners were doing multiple jobs.
The association’s chairman Jimmy Holiday hoped that the state Ministry of Transport could provide a one off grant to the association to ease the financial burden of its members.
Jimmy recently received the association’s certificate of registration from George who thanked the Registrar of Societies (ROS) Sarawak for expediting the process.
The Muara Tuang School Bus Owners Association can be contacted at 010-5070528.
