KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the floods that has hit the country, causing extensive damage and leaving vehicles stranded in floodwaters, bus operators are still striving to provide the best services.
Peninsular Malaysia Malay Express Bus Operators Association (Pembawa) president Mohamed Kaharrudin Salleh said bus operators are also vulnerable to flood disasters and cannot avoid it because natural disasters are not ever expected.
He said it has become the norm for bus operators to face problems and risks during the monsoon season, especially involving the east coast area.
“Operators (buses) and passengers are aware (of the risks). Of course, in terms of time, the loss is there, but we have to accept that this is the scenario in the monsoon season. We also hope passengers understand the current situation, with delayed travel and buses unable to operate,” he told Bernama.
He, however, said bus operators will provide services in high-risk areas for as long as they can, subject to current conditions.
Several states, namely Perak, Pahang, Terengganu, Selangor, Johor and Kelantan, are facing heavy floods, causing some roads to be closed either due to rising water levels or landslides, which affect the operation of bus operators.
Perdana Express bus operator Laili Ismail told Bernama that the current flood disaster in Pahang was a bad experience for him, but he has managed to come through.
Laili said one of his buses was badly affected in a flood incident in Raub, Pahang, two days ago when the driver and passengers were stranded in the Jeram Besu area due to high water levels and the bus was half submerged.
He was informed by the bus driver that the passengers were still stranded, and Laili could not send his staff to the area as the road is closed.
“The bus was stranded near Benta, near Jeram Besu, due to the water rising across the road. The driver tried to get the bus across but got stuck halfway and the engine went dead, so firemen had to go and rescue the passengers in a boat.
“This is the first time such a thing has happened to me in my 12 years as a bus operator,” he said.
“The bus was stranded for more than five hours near Gambang before proceeding to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Kuala Lumpur),” said Laili, who is also the operator of Darul Iman Express. – Bernama, January 5, 2021
