Transport minister Anthony Loke has said that the government is not forcing express bus operators to only operate from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) or Terminal Bersepadu Gombak (TBG), reported The Star. This follows the temporary suspension of Aeroline by APAD for the bus operator’s use of its current service points.
“It is not true that we are forcing them to TBS. They have tried to create the perception that we are forcing Aeroline and all other operators to use only TBS and TBG, [but] we are not forcing anyone to go to TBS or TBG, but you must operate from a safe area, a licensed area, as a terminal, and we will ease the process of becoming a terminal,” Loke said.
The transport ministry is reaching out to shopping malls and building owners to help them obtain terminal licences, as the responsibility does not lie with bus operators, said the transport minister.
“The shopping malls must do this. They must apply for the licence, but we are reaching out to them to help them license the terminal. We are doing everything possible to facilitate,” he added.
Loke met with Aeroline express bus operators following public complaints regarding disruption to the express bus firm’s operations, and said that the transport ministry is open to facilitating legal and safe locations for bus operations, and the ministry has instructed the land public transport agency (APAD) to simplify conditions for terminals located in suitable venues.
“For example, Aeroline’s major stop was at the Corus Hotel. Corus Hotel is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and just by the roadside. I told them, point-blank, that as far as roadside is concerned, that is a no-no. But we are prepared to facilitate operations in areas such as shopping malls, like One Utama, which have proper facilities,” Loke said.
“Previously, they could not get planning permission from the local authority, but I told APAD to ease the conditions. As long as there is no objection from the local authority, we will license the terminal in One Utama. I have already instructed APAD to help facilitate and license One Utama as a bus terminal. Once that is licensed, there should be no problem. Aeroline can continue to operate from One Utama,” he continued.
The transport minister said that other potential locations have been identified by the transport ministry, including LaLaport in Kuala Lumpur, and IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, and the transport ministry’s goal is to create safer and licensed bus terminals across urban areas, and not to restrict operators to one or two facilities, he said.
While the definition of a bus terminal had been very stringent in the past, the transport ministry will review and simplify the criteria in order for more locations to qualify.
“Everyone says today it is not convenient. But the moment an accident happens in front of a shopping mall, we will be blamed. Public opinion will turn against the ministry of transport for allowing buses to pick up or drop off passengers by the side of a major road. So, again, I hope the larger public can see things from multiple perspectives,” Loke said.
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