Errant bus operators and drivers targeted

The Star Online - 23 August 2007

By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN

JPJ implements Ops Bersih

PUTRAJAYA: Ops Bersih has been launched to “clean up” errant bus companies and drivers.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy ordered the Road Transport Department (JPJ) yesterday to take immediate steps to ensure that no more lives were lost or people injured in accidents involving buses.

Ops Bersih, which was supposed to start on Monday, was brought forward following the latest bus express accident in Kelantan on Tuesday.

Roadblocks will be set up at 15 locations nationwide until midnight on Aug 30.

The locations are at JPJ enforcement offices in Bukit Bunga (Kelantan); Air Sejuk and Kijal (Terengganu); Paya Rambutan East Coast Highway; Benta and Maran (Pahang); Tenang and Jamaluang (Johor); and other major bus routes like Sanggang (Pahang), the Bukit Gantang and Tapah expressway rest area (Perak); Juru toll plaza (Penang); Sungai Besi toll plaza (Kuala Lumpur); Senawang (Negeri Sembilan); and Yong Peng (Johor).

JPJ director-general Datuk Ahmad Mustapha Abdul Rashid said the message to bus drivers and operators was that the JPJ was serious about the safety of road-users.

He added his officers would continue with the operations to ensure that bus and commercial vehicle drivers adhered to the speed limit, carried valid operating permits and licences, and vehicles were in good condition according to the Motor Vehicle Rules.

On the counters at bus stations, he said officers would check the licences of the first and second drivers of the buses and the roadworthiness of buses, while the police would conduct urine tests.

“There are cases where the bus will have a second-driver at the point of departure, but one of them will alight somewhere into the journey,” he said.

Ahmad Mustapha said bus drivers should not drive more than eight hours within a 24-hour period, cannot drive for four continuous hours or more than 300km within the four-hour period.

He said bus drivers with outstanding arrest warrants for traffic offences would be arrested on the spot, while those whose licences were suspended would have their documents seized.

Agencies like the traffic police will also coordinate their operations on drivers, especially on suspended driving licences and outstanding arrest warrants, he added.

He said bus-manufacturing companies had been issued with a directive on Tuesday to build rigid one-piece bus bodies which adhered to the “R66 Economic Commission of European Countries” standards.

Motorists can check on their Kejara status with the JPJ or check online via www.jpj.gov.my or send an SMS addressed to JPJ new IC number (without hyphen) and send to 32252.