KUCHING, Sept 10: Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin calls on schools involved in the free school bus services programme to provide feedback order to ensure its implementation benefits the target group.
According to Lee, the said programme launched by the Sarawak government has received very encouraging feedback from students, although the services had only started operations recently.
“We want to use Kuching as an example, and after this we plan to go to another city, namely Miri, to implement this service with the same model.
“That is why we are studying this matter, and because this is new, we need full cooperation from all parties involved, especially the school and teachers. Please provide us with feedback and the relevant data too,” he said during the Sarawak Free School Bus Services briefing session held at Sarawak Foundation Auditorium, in Jalan Sultan Tengah here, today.
Lee pointed out that the main objective of the free school bus services programme is to reduce traffic congestion and at the same time encourage the public to utilise public transportation.
Apart from that, he explained, the free school bus services would also enable children from low income households to get to school.
“In terms of security, the school buses can be installed with close-circuit television (CCTV) to ensure passenger safety. For the bus catchment areas, we are studying the need for a collection point, and would build a school bus shelter for the students to use while they are waiting for their buses.
“There is an example for this started by MBKS using a shipping container as a bus stop, and we will be working together with Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) on this and my ministry will look into it,” he added.
On another note, Lee disclosed that Miri will be the second city to benefit from the implementation of the free school bus services programme.
“For now, the ministry is conducting a ground study together with Sarawak Foundation (YS), and will be selecting one location for the pilot study,” he said. — DayakDaily
