SIBU, May 20: Urban stage bus services in Sibu and Kuching are allowed to resume despite both areas being categorised as yellow Covid-19 zones.
Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin when highlighting this after his meeting with the Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee here today revealed passengers would also only pay a RM1 flat rate upon resumption of the services.
“Today, we had a meeting with the members of the Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee together with the bus companies. During the meeting, the ministry presented briefings on the Implementation of the RM1 flat rate stage bus fare and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for stage bus companies to comply with before resuming operation under the current Covid-19 situation,” he said.
The five bus companies represented in the meeting were Sungai Merah Bus Bhd, Lanang Bus Company Bhd, Rajang Transport Sdn Bhd, Teku Road Bus Company Sdn Bhd and Borneo Amalgamated Transport Company Bhd.
Lee disclosed his ministry allowed the resumption of these services here as residents in Sibu town need bus transport to visit government facilities such as clinics and hospitals.
In order to participate in the RM1 flat rate bus fare initiative, bus companies must be registered with the Sarawak Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB).
The said flat rate fare is among the many initiatives launched by the Sarawak government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to improve the people’s standard of living and quality of life. This is especially so in the context of providing reliable and affordable bus public transport in the state.
Lee said his ministry and the relevant bus companies will make public the approved bus routes and schedules for this RM1 flat rate stage bus fare initiative within Sibu town through news and social media outlets.
During the meeting, the five bus companies were informed that they are required to comply with SOPs before resuming operations including, amongst others, sanitising buses; ensuring drivers undergo swab tests; allocating seating for social distancing; checking passengers’ body temperature before they board the bus; providing hand sanitiser at the bus entrance; ensuring all passengers wear face masks throughout the journey; and taking note that police permits are still required for inter-district travel.
Lee revealed a similar briefing on the flat rate fare will carried out for stage bus operators in Kuching tomorrow (May 21).
Miri and Sarikei which are Covid-19 green zones implemented the flat rate fare on May 18. — DayakDaily
