KenaSaman.com

SEREMBAN: Stage bus operators who have been continuously registering losses due to high operating costs will be allowed to apply for cash subsidies from the newly set-up Public Transport Trust Fund.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said although the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding with Konsortium Transnasional Bhd (KTB) to pay for the stage bus service, it would also assist other operators.

“We are aware that some smaller operators have also been suffering financially and we will consider them as well,” he said.

The state government signed the MoU with KTB on Nov 21 after the company stopped its stage bus service covering 12 routes several days earlier due to continuous losses.

The halt in service caused several thousand commuters to be stranded as most of these routes were not covered by other companies.

Under the MoU, the state government will pay KTB for the stage bus service based on the distance, frequency and type of bus used.

Smaller operators have also asked the state government for help due to escalating operating costs.

Some in Tampin and Port Dickson have stopped their services too.

Mohamad said the state government could only afford to provide the subsidy on a short-term basis and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) would look into ways to help such operators in the long run.

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