SINGAPOREAN tour buses are allowed to enter Malaysia, but they cannot operate as express buses, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the arrangement is reciprocal. Malaysian tour buses can operate in Singapore, and Singaporean tour buses are permitted to carry tourists in Malaysia.
“Tour buses bring visitors into the country, which benefits Malaysia, and we do not ban them.
“But if a tour bus operates as an express bus, selling tickets for scheduled routes, that is not allowed, and action will be taken,” he told Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Loke said Singapore had requested Malaysia to allow entry to its tour buses in return for Malaysian buses operating there.
“However, Singapore does not have a legal category for express buses. Their system only recognises tour buses and scheduled buses. That is why our position remains firm – we will not allow express bus services from Singapore,” he said.
The minister was responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who raised concerns that some Singaporean tour buses have been operating in Malaysia for years without proper Puspakom inspections or compliance with local safety standards.
“These operators have been taking advantage of the system. We will not consider granting permits for Singaporean express buses, as it would put local operators at a disadvantage,” Loke said.
