AEROLINE NOT FORCED TO USE TBS OR TBG, SAFETY AND LICENSING REMAIN PRIORITY - LOKE

SEPANG, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Transport Minister Anthony Loke has clarified that the government is not forcing express bus operators, such as Aeroline, to operate only from the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) or the Gombak Bus Terminal (TBG).

“It is not true that we are forcing them to TBS. They have tried to create the perception that we are forcing Aeroline and all other operators only to TBS and TBG.

“The answer is no. We are not forcing anyone to go to TBS or TBG... but you must operate from a safe area, a licensed area, as a terminal. And we will ease the process of becoming a terminal,” he told reporters after launching the Transport Expo Asia (TXA) and the Road Safety Convention (RSC) here today.

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He said the ministry is reaching out to shopping malls and building owners to help them obtain terminal licences, as the responsibility does not lie with bus operators.

“This must be done by the shopping malls. They must apply for the licence, but we are reaching out to them to help them license the terminal. We are doing everything possible to help facilitate.

“While the trade associations, hotel associations and others talk about tourist convenience, we agree. As I mentioned, the Ministry of Transport is an enabler of economic development... we know our role very well, but at the same time, we cannot compromise on safety,” he said.

Loke met with Aeroline operators yesterday following public complaints about their operations being disrupted.

He said the ministry was open to facilitating legal and safe locations for operations and had instructed the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to simplify conditions for terminals located in suitable venues.

“For example, Aeroline’s major stop was at the Corus Hotel. Corus Hotel is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and just by the roadside. I told them, point-blank, that as far as roadside is concerned, that is a no-no.

“But we are prepared to facilitate operations in areas such as shopping malls, like One Utama, which have proper facilities. Previously, they could not get planning permission from the local authority, but I told APAD to ease the conditions,” he said.

“As long as there is no objection from the local authority, we will license the terminal in One Utama. I already told APAD to help facilitate and license One Utama to become a bus terminal. Once that is licensed, no problem. Aeroline can continue to operate from One Utama,” he added.

He said the ministry had also identified other potential locations, such as Lalaport in Kuala Lumpur, which has a dedicated bus lane, as well as shopping malls with suitable infrastructure, including IOI City Mall in Putrajaya.

Loke said the ministry’s goal was to create safer and licensed bus terminals across urban areas, not to restrict operators to one or two facilities.

“We are not forcing everyone just to go to one particular terminal. We are trying to create more terminals around the city safely,” he said.

He added that while the definition of a bus terminal had been very stringent in the past, the ministry would review and simplify the criteria to enable more locations to qualify.

“Everyone says today it is not convenient. But the moment an accident happens in front of a shopping mall, we will be blamed. Public opinion will turn against the Ministry of Transport for allowing buses to pick up or drop off passengers by the side of a major road.

“So again, I hope the larger public can see things from multiple perspectives. We want convenience, yes. But at the same time, we need safety. We are facilitating and balancing these two,” he added.

-- BERNAMA