By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 14: The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak will cover the full cost of mandatory global positioning system (GPS) and Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM) devices for stage buses under its Integrated Stage Bus Subsidy Fund (ISBSF).
CVLB Sarawak chairman Michael Kong said the move is part of ongoing efforts to modernise Sarawak’s stage bus industry and improve public transport services across Sarawak.
“Effective Nov 1, 2025, all stage buses in Sarawak are required to be equipped with GPS and ETM devices.
“These installations will allow us to track buses, ensure adherence to designated routes and schedules, and enhance operational efficiency,” Kong in a statement today after meetings with stage bus operators in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri.
The GPS devices will provide real-time bus tracking, while ETM devices will streamline fare collection and generate accurate ridership data, enabling better planning and improved service delivery.
Recognising that these devices cost approximately RM800 per month per bus, CVLB Sarawak has committed to fully covering the expenses under the ISBSF, which has an annual fund size of RM5 million.
“The fund also supports operators with operating costs such as rent, salaries, and vehicle maintenance.
“Since our announcement last Monday, more than 100 buses have already signed on to the programme. We look forward to see a modernised and more efficient stage bus system taking shape, benefitting both operators and the public,” Kong added.
This initiative underscores CVLB Sarawak’s dedication to supporting stage bus operators while providing safer, more reliable, and technologically upgraded public transport across the State. — DayakDaily
