It is indeed shocking to read in the media of calls by Transit Link and KGN-Hin Bus for the state government to reduce the number of Rapid Penang buses plying Penang streets! Are they not aware that the people of Penang actually want greater frequency which requires more buses to be on the road than the present arrangement?
To call for a reduction of buses on the road for the sake of profitability of the operators smacks of outright disregard for the convenience of the scores of public transport users in Penang. As a bus user myself, i would like to see MORE buses on the road - not less.
Several routes currently have a frequency of 45 minutes and even 90 minutes. But I am not surprised considering that the bus operators making these calls have had history of totally disregarding the needs of its passengers.
It is precisely this indifferent attitude that eventually led to the introduction of the Rapid Penang service by the last state administration. Rapid Penang, though not perfect, has the interest of its passengers at its heart.
Within a month, the 'new kid on the block' was able to win over many loyal customers despite the fact the rogue bus operators had for a long time monopolised their respective routes. These bus operators have to come to terms with the fact that customers today demand good, clean and fast service.
Even now, these rogue operators refuse to change their ways and continue to dole out pathetic service. They do not issue tickets, do not observe routes or timing and worst of all, resort to touts who use threats of violence to overcome competition.
And yet they have the audacity to claim that the bad business is due to Rapid Penang rather their own refusal to follow the rules and compete like real companies. State Local Goverment Traffic Management and Environment Committee Chairman, Chow Kon Yeow is doing the right thing in giving the bus operators an ultimatum to change their ways and taking to task CVLB for failing to take action despite so many complaints by the public.
The CVLB's chief statement that 'no official complaint had been made' is a mere excuse for inaction. The public’s call to take these operators off the road has been loud and clear. Besides, it has been clearly reported by drivers and bosses of these rogue bus operators that the ' pajak ' system is very much alive in various forms and manifestations.
What more information does the CVLB need? The final call to both the bus operators and CVLB is this: shape up or ship out!
