BUTTERWORTH - Express bus operators are reminded to provide a second driver for journeys exceeding 300 kilometres (km) or they will face legal action, including being prohibited from operating.
Penang Road Transport Department (RTD) director Zulkifly Ismail said many bus operators were found to have failed to provide a second driver despite it being a mandatory requirement.
He said the failure of bus operators to provide a second driver for long journeys was feared to cause accidents that not only endanger their passengers but also other road users.
"Starting from April 1, we have conducted inspections not only at bus terminals in the state but also at their depots to ensure that express bus operators comply with all the regulations and road laws stipulated.
"As of yesterday (Thursday), a total of 121 buses were inspected and several offences were detected, including five cases of failure to provide a second driver," he said during a press conference on the Special Ops Aidilfitri Celebration 2024 operation at the Penang Central Bus Terminal on Thursday.
He also said several technical offences such as driving with cracked mirrors were also detected and this issue needed to be addressed seriously by bus operators.
Zulkifly stressed that as long as bus operators failed to resolve the issue of the second driver and the technical offences detected, they will not allow the buses to continue their journey.
Regarding the Special Ops Aidilfitri Celebration 2024 conducted in the state, Zulkifly said 98 of the department's personnel will be on duty throughout the 20-day operation to ensure the safety of road users.
He added that with the integrated cooperation of other agencies in this operation assignment, it is hoped that the rate of accidents and fatalities during the Aidilfitri festive season can be reduced.
Furthermore, he said five accident hotspots in each district in the state will be focused on to prevent any undesirable incidents from occurring.