KenaSaman.com

I REFER to “Bus misery” (The Star, Jan 3). There have been so much talk in the newspapers the last two months on one bus company after another calling it quits because of huge losses, resulting in tens of thousands of people stranded with no better alternative transport to work and school.

To alleviate the people’s misery, both state and federal governments now promise millions of ringgit in funds to the bus companies. Will that solve the problem? I do not think so.

None of the bus companies have highlighted what caused their losses. They only claimed that they could not operate without government help or subsidy.

Any public money spent by the Government should be spent wisely.

The focus should be on finding out the root causes of the problem and then tackling these accordingly.

I think it is high time that we consider the AirAsia-style of buses. The fares are cheap and yet they can be run profitably.

Why can’t the local bus routes within the states be run profitably?

I suggest the following be considered for local bus services:

> The buses must be fuel efficient and cheap to operate. If the existing buses are very old, very fuel inefficient and break down very often and spare parts are very expensive, cut losses by selling them.

If necessary, interest free loans should be given to bus companies to purchase new buses that are highly fuel efficient.

> Ideally, the same type and model of buses should be bought so that a good discount can be obtained for bulk purchases. Spare parts and maintenance would also be cheaper because of bulk buys.

The bus companies must never buy any buses that are not practical. The buses must not be too big so that the turnaround time can be quick.

If a bus route does not have many commuters, a smaller bus should be utilised.

> Lock in purchases of bus services in advance by getting regular commuters to purchase weekly or monthly bus tickets or stored value cards.

The key is to increase efficiency and cut down operating costs so that the commuters benefit through the buses moving from one place to another faster.

There should be no delays caused by people having to count their money and the bus driver having to hand over any change, and etc.

> During non-peak hours, the bus services should be less regular or even stopped entirely to save on fuel.

During such times, the bus drivers can take on other work such as helping to cover other routes which are more busy or even drive tour buses, or do other work like cleaning and washing the buses.

For such extra work, the bus drivers should be compensated. In this way, there will be less wastage and everyone wins.

We must focus on creating low-cost, efficient and yet profitable bus services so that any public money spent on the bus services is wisely spent.

Read the full article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... &sec=focus