Public Land Transport Commission will resolve fragmented jurisdiction woes

KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat says the Public Land Transport Commission (Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat)will help resolve the problem of fragmented jurisdiction governing matters of land transport.

On his blog, he said on Thursday, April 15 the commission will see a single point of accountability for policy planning and regulatory oversight.

"This is a step towards resolving the problem of fragmented jurisdiction governing matters of land transport that I have frequently highlighted since I assumed the role as Transport Minister," he said.

Before the commission was set up, he noted there were 13 government agencies and departments having authority on issues relating to land transport.

For instance on the issue of commercial buses, the issuance and revocation of licence to operate as well as powers to determine fares are under the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB), which is under the Prime Minister’s Department.

However, licences to operate tour buses is under the Tourism Ministry. The Road Transport Department (RTD) oversees various aspects of safety and enforcement. Ong said then there are the Department of Environment and local authorities as well.

"It was through the National Key Result Area on Urban Public Transport (NKRA UPT) of which I am the lead minister that we were able to bring the fragmented agencies to work together to improve urban public transport. It was also through NKRA UPT that the idea of SPAD was established," he said.

Ong said the commission does not affect the jurisdiction of the RTD, Road Safety Department and other agencies under the Transport Ministry of Transport.

He said, as the lead minister for NKRA UPT, he would continue to maintain oversight on matters pertaining to urban public transport and ensure close collaboration between his ministry and the commission.