Tag Archives: express bus

NEWS

Express bus drivers dropping off passengers in unauthorised areas will be fined on the spot

The Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) has warned express bus drivers not to drop off passengers in unauthorised areas.

According to its director, Stien Van Lutam, express bus drivers caught committing the offence will be fined on the spot.

He added that so far, two violations have been detected during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 Special Operation, which was launched from 24 March to 8 April this year.

“JPJ personnel in disguise detected a 29-year-old bus driver who, while travelling from Ipoh to Sungai Petani, dropped off passengers in an unauthorised area or outside the bus terminal.

“Another 27-year-old express bus driver was also found committing the same offence while travelling from Alor Setar to Kelantan, in addition to overtaking on a double line,” he stated.

He remarked that dropping off passengers in prohibited areas not only endangers the passengers but also contributes to accidents and traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, Stien mentioned that the 14-day special operation involves 271 JPJ personnel throughout the state, whose leave has been suspended to ensure the smoothness and safety of road users, as well as in efforts to minimise the rate of accidents and fatalities due to road incidents.

He stated that the JPJ will continue to prioritise nine major offences, including failure to comply with speed limits, running red lights, overtaking in prohibited areas, driving in emergency lanes, and using mobile phones.

“Users returning to their hometowns are advised to remain patient while driving, not to let their emotions take over, and to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before starting their journey to avoid any unwanted incidents,” he said.

NEWS

No second drivers, JPJ issues summonses to 25 express, tour buses

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The Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued summonses to 25 express and tour buses for not having a second driver for trips exceeding 300 kilometres (km) or four hours continuously during a special operation at three toll plazas in Penang.

JPJ said the operation started at 10 pm yesterday and ended at 7 am today, and was conducted at both sides of the Juru, Bukit Tambun and Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah toll plazas.

“JPJ also compounded an express bus as the driver had no driving licences as well as a container lorry as the driver was underaged,” the department said in a Facebook post today.

The department also took action against 23 buses for not having driver’s logbooks or not maintaining them and one for not having a tour guide.

Overall, 273 summonses were issued.

NEWS

Faulty wiring found in express bus electrocution incident

Bernama news portal reports that faulty electrical wiring system was among the causes of an electric shock incident that occurred on an express bus recently.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that the wiring system in the bus was installed by individuals who did not have authorization from the Energy Commission (EC).

An initial report by the Special Task Force also found that the wiring connection from the distribution box (DB) to the socket wiring was installed incorrectly.

“This bus’ wiring is new, but what this team has identified is that there is irregular wiring making it unsafe, such as socket wiring being installed incorrectly, causing the input and output to be reversed.

“High voltage was output through that socket and when that voltage flowed through the victim’s body, it resulted in death. This is what we have identified as one of the causes of this incident,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament Building today.

The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) had previously issued a ban on the use of 3-pin and USB sockets in all express buses on November 6, which is effective until new wiring policies and guidelines are issued by the Ministry of Transport.

“Bus operators are encouraged to send the buses for additional wiring inspections and tests that have been accredited by the Energy Commission. If they pass, they can submit them to APAD to reuse those sockets,” he said.

For licensing purposes, APAD also requires both new and existing bus operators to submit the results of reports or certificates of additional wiring inspections by inspection and testing bodies accredited by the Malaysian Department of Standards.

They must also submit reports on the wiring and additional electrical equipment, such as wiring, outlet sockets, and residual current devices used in all commercial vehicles.

At the same time, Loke mentioned that they are developing new additional wiring guidelines for all bus operators, which are expected to be completed within at least six months.

NEWS

Anthony Loke: All express buses prohibited from using phone charger sockets

The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) has issued a temporary ban on the use of phone charger sockets in express buses following an electrocution incident that recently claimed the life of a teenage boy in Penang, according to a report by Kosmo.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook stated that the temporary ban on the use of phone charger sockets in express buses will remain in effect until a report from a special task force regarding the incident has been completed.

“Currently, all buses equipped with these sockets are prohibited from using them temporarily because we want to determine the actual cause of this incident first.

“After this special task force prepares the report, if there are any improvements that need to be made, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) is ready to cooperate with the Energy Commission (ST) to review the standard operating procedures (SOP) that need to be implemented before the use of these sockets in express buses is allowed,” he said during a session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Mohd. Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) regarding whether the MOT could instruct APAD to ensure that phone charging equipment installed in public transport is tested for safety levels before being approved for use.

Meanwhile, Anthony Loke assured passengers that they need not worry about the safety of using phone charger sockets on planes and trains.

According to him, the charger sockets on planes and trains adhere to standards that must be met by the manufacturers of these vehicles.

“There is no need to worry about using those sockets. For buses, there currently are no such standards.

“To date, during inspections by the Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) and others, sockets have not been included as part of the inspections. We will revisit the SOP together with the ST to ensure that the use of sockets in buses adheres to a standard,” he said.

Full news available at Kosmo!

NEWS

More than 19,000 vehicles were inspected by JPJ, and action was taken on 667 buses

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More than 19,000 vehicles including express buses have been inspected by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in a joint operation from 2 July to 31 July. According to the Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, in the operation, a total of 667 buses were taken action against for various offenses.

“The Joint Special Operation focuses on ensuring that all express buses are in safe condition, driven by competent license holders, and that the vehicles comply with all relevant legal provisions set forth.

“From the inspection of 2,547 express bus drivers, 26 drivers tested positive for drugs.

“A total of 19,456 vehicles were inspected; 667 were taken action against; 14 were seized by the Road Transport Department (JPJ); 1,600 notices issued under JPJ P22, Section 61 (1) Section 59, and others.

“In this operation, the JPJ, in collaboration with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), conducted urine screening tests on express bus drivers,” he said.

Anthony also added that JPJ carried out a Special Operation on Commercial Vehicles focusing on goods and public service vehicles. This pertains to technical violations, traffic violations, and major offenses starting from 1 August to 31 August 2024.

“Findings from 1 August to 5 August show that 21 drivers tested positive for drugs, based on urine screening tests conducted on 276 commercial vehicle drivers during the five days of the operation.

“This means that for every 13 drivers, one is detected to be under the influence of drugs while on duty, driving on the road. This is a concerning situation,” he explained.

He emphasized that JPJ will not compromise with incompetent drivers handling commercial and public service vehicles. He further stated that these measures are to ensure the safety of all road users and reduce the rate of road accidents.