Public Transport - Buses

[klbloke]

OPINION: Too many cooks in the bus industry?

By : SANTHA OORJITHAM

Several government agencies are tackling the problems besetting the express bus sector. But industry experts tell SANTHA OORJITHAM the only solution is a single agency armed with a comprehensive plan


Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh says KTB is losing RM40,000 in revenue every day to RapidKL.

FIRST, the good news for express bus companies: The authorities have heard the various requests that they have made over the years and plan to implement some of them.

But there's also bad news: Their call for a one-stop centre with jurisdiction over the industry is unlikely to be met. And there is no sign of a blueprint for the sector.

After the express bus crash at Bukit Gantang last month that claimed 22 lives, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), under the Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Ministry, is taking action, says its chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran.

With an expanded force (from 67 in May to 84 now), its officers are checking on management at bus companies "on a random basis".

When the officers unearth problems, "we will ask them to come in and explain why they don't have reasonable management", says Markiman.

The CVLB will advise them to focus on the standard and discipline of drivers, he adds.

But of more interest to operators will be the news that their proposal for a database on errant drivers and accidents will be granted.

"We have appointed Init5, the company handling a driver profile for taxi companies, to do the same for express buses - keeping track of accidents and driving offences," he says.

As for their request for a fare revision, the ministry instructed the CVLB this month to study the fares of the entire public transport sector.

"The government has agreed to look into the standard of express bus services," explains Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin.

"And if that affects costs, we will also review the costs." He notes that operators' costs include fuel, wages, loan repayment, asset depreciation, maintenance, licences, insurance and road tax.

The study will take months as the board will have to look at every class of transport and also recommend measures to improve efficiency and safety, adds Markiman.

The CVLB has also been writing letters to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, which determines fuel subsidies, since the last bus fare increase in 2005.

"The CVLB has always supported bus operators' requests with regard to fuel subsidies," he says.

Bus operators' suggestion of a training school for new drivers is being addressed too.

Markiman says he has spoken to the minister about having Kolej Kemahiran Mara or Pusat Giatmara come up with a syllabus and course for potential drivers of public transport: "He agreed and we are working out the details."

However, Markiman doesn't support the call for a single regulatory body. At present, licences and fares come under the CVLB.

Different aspects of enforcement are covered by the Road Transport Department (under the Ministry of Transport), CVLB and the police, while Puspakom handles technical and routine inspection.

The International Trade and Industry Ministry regulates chassis import and duties and local authorities oversee infrastructure such as terminals and bus stops.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry ensure environmental and labour regulations are followed.

Safety issues do not depend on whether the government has one or more agencies responsible, argues Khaled.

"What is important is that each existing agency has to improve its system of delivery and monitoring to ensure that bus service is within the law, safe and of quality."

But he is in favour of consolidation of the 186 express bus companies within the peninsula.

"We should encourage operators to combine and offer higher quality service and more efficient fleet management," he says.

Adds Markiman: "If you divide the three main trunk routes, each could be serviced by not more than 10. So a viable number could be between 15 and 30."

Meanwhile, several different initiatives are under way: Last month Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the ministry would be holding talks with all the stakeholders, including bus and lorry companies, before coming up with a guideline.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety is also working with the CVLB on good practice guidelines.

"We have to look at both structural and management issues," explains institute director-general Professor Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi.

The management issues will be addressed by the Safety, Health and Environment code of practice which includes management responsibility as well as the management of drivers, vehicles, risk and journey, data and records.

Radin says a special paper on how "to enhance public transport in the country" will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Public Transport.

With different guidelines issued by different agencies, a single blueprint is unlikely.

"If you ask nine regulatory bodies, you will get nine different answers," points out Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, chairman and managing director of Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB).

"It creates confusion among the operators and the government." He still hopes for a sole authority like those in neighbouring Singapore and Thailand.

Current policies appear to be "discretionary", claims Nadzmi. For example, KTB's subsidiary companies can buy 30 per cent of their fuel requirements at public transport prices but pay the commercial bulk or industrial price - which is the highest - for the rest.

"I have heard some of the other bus operators get 100 per cent of their fuel at the public transport price," says Nadzmi. "What is the basis of the decision-making? Is there a guideline?"

And relative newcomer RapidKL comes directly under the Finance Ministry, he points out.

"It has its own fare structure. It has grants, is subsidised and can import completely built-up buses without tax."

Now RapidKL is moving into Klang and Shah Alam, he notes, estimating that KTB is losing RM40,000 in revenue per day to them.

"It is not a level playing field if we are competing with the government and they are expanding at our expense."

KTB had planned to have natural gas Cityliner buses in the Klang Valley and had started with 30. "But RapidKL came in so we don't want to put in more.

"We can invest where we have certainty, ground rules and no shifting goal posts," explains the KTB chairman. "But policies are not consistent."

As a result, the company will be more conservative locally. "We will look outside the country to expand.

"We will let the dust settle here. We are not as bullish as if the rules of the game were clear."

[allurban]

Interesting article

The example of KL-Klang and KL-Seremban are examples, then there are the long queues of buses waiting at Puduraya and Duta and Klang terminal...

too many companies, too many buses....but not a lot of incentives to consolidate or exit the industry...not enough serious enforcement of quality or safety or labour standards.... companies can keep prices really low....even if they dont have lots of customers....

I would love to see the KL-Klang route be consolidated...or just consolidate the fare scheme...all of the bus companies charging the RapidKL fare, and using RapidKL tickets....government subsidies to meet the difference...

Cheers, m

[nazrey]

Bus a Penang!
by maragiraldo

[nazrey]

Bus station in Temerloh
by Vueltaa

image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

Jerteh bus station by night
by stereomer

[nazrey]

The Coach to Singapore
by jasmeet

image hosted on flickr

[liping_t]

Nice Thread! Love the pics!

[^tamago^]

I don't feel that the expansion of RapidKL bus services is detrimental to KTMB's business when it is already running at full capacity and cannot be as fast as buses in quite a lot of cases. It's KTMB who needs to improve its services, frequencies and quality, with a government grant if possible.

[allurban]

Originally Posted by ^tamago^

I don't feel that the expansion of RapidKL bus services is detrimental to KTMB's business when it is already running at full capacity and cannot be as fast as buses in quite a lot of cases. It's KTMB who needs to improve its services, frequencies and quality, with a government grant if possible.

Agreed. As long as this competitive system exists, KTB should be looking at improving its position in the market by offering better services for a specific market rather than trying to compete with RapidKL.

we recognize immediately that the Aeroline, Nice, and Transnasional buses to Singapore serve completely different markets and yet they are all doing the same thing...similarly, Air Asia, Firefly, MAS, and Berjaya Air are all offering domestic service in Malaysia but they are offering distinct services.

So KTBs CItyliner #710 bus service, RapidKL's E4 Bas Ekspress, and Wawasan Sutera's #99 are all providing the KL-Klang service but they offer different services for different markets.

What the market needs is better regulation from the government. Perfect competition does not work in public transportation... especially in the bus industry.

I think that the government should have an active Public Transportation strategy. Instead of waiting for the companies to apply for permits, the government should divide the bus routes into 4 different packages.

All bus routes in Malaysia would be designated by travel type (as either "hub and spoke" or "direct route" system) and distance (divided into "short distance" and "long-distance"), creating a total of 4 types of packages.

Having these packages set up in advance would allow the companies to compete and tender for those packages.

Bigger companies like KTB might contract out some of the local services and short-distance routes to smaller private companies. Smaller private companies might look at short-distance direct routes, rather than aiming for the "profitable" mass-market routes...

everyone benefits because the bus service is kept consistent. The companies always have to watch that they maintain service quality, or the package could be taken away from them. Fares would be reasonable, because there would be ways to profit and cut costs at the same time. Bus services would be safer too. The smaller private companies would offer service on the shorter bus routes, while the long-distance routes would be with the larger companies who can afford to invest more money in improving quality and safety.

Cheers, m

[klbloke]

https://www.aeroline.com.my/

[^tamago^]

http://www.odysseynow.com.my

[nazrey]

SMEs:
Odyssey set to ride on KL-Singapore route
By Azlan Abu Bakar Published: 2007/12/13
BusinessTimes

The luxury liner has pumped in RM5 million into the new bus service, buying five buses from Scania and setting up lounges in Mont Kiara and in Singapore

LUXURY liner Odyssey Prestige Coaches Sdn Bhd is optimistic that it can capture a comfortable portion of the lucrative Kuala Lumpur-Singapore travel route.

The 100 per cent Bumiputera-owned firm, a new player in the local transportation industry, has gone beyond the traditional bus service by providing luxury and comfort for its passengers, mainly targeted to business travellers.

Managing director Wan Adlan Affendy Wan Abdul Rahman said Odyssey Prestige has so far pumped in about RM5 million into the new bus service, to purchase five new buses from Scania and set up lounges in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur and in Singapore.

"We will start with the five buses that we have. If the demand is great, we expect to increase the number of buses to another 20 within the next two years," he told Business Times in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Wan Adlan Affendy said Odyssey Prestige aims to become a world-class customer service provider of cutting-edge, innovative and quality travel products and services.

He said its state-of-the-art buses offer more first-class air travel, including on-board wi-fi access, personal television sets, telephones, plug in for laptops, and on-board meals.

"While it may look like getting on a plane to Singapore is faster, when you add up the cost and time spent to get to the airport and taxi fares, riding on a business class coach is more convenient and cuts time," Wan Adlan Affendy said.

He said Odyssey has been created to be a luxury coach service for discerning individuals who expect nothing less than the highest standard of comfort and services during their travels.

"Our onboard crew are also trained for emergency situations and first-aid. You can be sure you are in very good hands when you are travelling with us," he said.

[^tamago^]

I took it on 1st Dec 8am northbound to try it out. (Southbound flew back same day.) R&R 20mins at Pagoh for Northbound. Additional 5 min toilet break at another lay-by.

Water bottle is served at start of journey at Copthrone, then goes via PIE and AYE to 2nd Link. After clearing Malaysian customs, free refreshments are served consisting of apricot slices, bread, baked beans. It should be the standard breakfast fare offered by the hotel. Coffee available upon request. Toilet not available on board. Bottom deck only for luggage and a bed for those who really need to sleep. IBE consists of some average Taito arcade games and about 12 movies each of English and Chinese movies (like Jackie Chan's Plan and Qian Ji Bian), which are not exactly new but could do.

Sad thing is, they stop at Mont Kiara, which is nearer to Damansara and PJ than KL itself. I need a cab out to KL proper.

The company is currently using five units of Scania K94IB4x2 (Brazilian chassis) high decker bus bodied by SKSbus, mated with DC9 inline 6-cylinder 310bhp turbocharged engine. Nice whistle, very fast as well, the driver stays on 115km/h most of the time. Departed at 8am, arrived at 1pm exactly (5 hours) at Mont Kiara. Skipped the main throughfares of KL so journey was smooth.

[nazrey]

Some buses in Kuala Lumpur
Picturess from flickr.com

[nazrey]

Idaman 25
Pictures by KonstantineChoo of ktmrailwayfan.com

[nazrey]

[liping_t]

Odyssey sounds brilliant! on board wifi and laptop plugins? I'm travelling with them next time BTW, I like the Cityliner's colors. Makes the bus look very bright and fresh.

[OshHisham]

the cityliners and intrakota pictures are very very old...they are now renamed rapidKL!

[marcusaffleck]

Metrobus sucks alot.. it nearly scratch my car at Jalan Bukit Bintang

[nazrey]

by ankit_technomind

image hosted on flickr