By William Isau
SIBU, May 30: The government has been urged to subsidise the cost of obtaining a bus driving licence.
According to Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association adviser Lau Khing Seng, most bus companies are unable to fully operate as many bus drivers have retired.
“There were once 30 bus companies in the State. Only 11 are left with shortage of drivers as one of the reasons,” he revealed.
Lau said obtaining a bus driving licence costs between RM5,000 to RM6,000 and the high cost is deterring people from becoming bus drivers.
“The fee for obtaining a bus driving licence is too stiff. People can’t afford it. I hope the government will provide a subsidy of RM1,000 for that,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lau said most bus companies have started paying their staff the RM1,500 minimum wage last year.
“If we don’t pay them this salary, they will quit. These are mostly office staff as bus drivers command a higher pay of more than RM2,000,” he said.
Lau said as bus fares are controlled by the government, the bus service operators could not increases prices in line with increasing expenses.
“The bus fare has not been revised for 13 years already. We hope that the government will consider our request to revise it in line with the implementation of the minimum wage and the increasing cost of our operations,” he said. — DayakDaily
