PETALING JAYA: The government measure mandating express bus operators to use safe, licensed terminals is appropriate and in line with efforts to strengthen the country’s land public transport ecosystem, says the Malaysia Express Bus Operators Association.
Its chairman, Mohamad Nazri Md Yusof, said this following Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s announcement that express bus operators must relocate to licensed terminals such as 1 Utama, Lalaport, and IOI City Mall, once the hubs are ready.
The policy aims to end disorganised roadside boarding in congested areas, especially in front of hotels and shopping complexes, which poses risks to passenger safety and traffic flow.
In the meantime, operators have been granted a temporary moratorium to continue using their existing pick‑up points.
“This approach is particularly important in ensuring a clear separation between express bus and tour bus operations based on their respective roles and licensing conditions.
“We fully support the policy that all express bus services should only be permitted to pick up and drop off passengers at terminals officially gazetted by the government,” said Mohamad Nazri.
He added that the policy would not only prevent overlapping functions with tour bus services but also reduce confusion among passengers and ensure equal treatment for all industry operators.
The association said the government must continue to remain firm and consistent in implementing established policies and regulations to ensure that the land public transport industry develops in a sustainable, organised and competitive manner.
“Should exemptions be granted to any specific operator, such a move may create imbalance within the industry and further complicate enforcement efforts due to inconsistent policy implementation,” it said in a statement on Sunday (May 31).
Meanwhile, Mohamad Nazri said existing operators can still meet demand on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route following Aeroline’s withdrawal.
This long-distance coach operator said it received a directive on May 13 requiring it to operate only from licensed terminals, but argued that commercial fees at locations such as Lalaport were too high and did not align with its long-standing “value for money” principle.
