Illegal vehicles transporting school students becoming more prevalent – BSM

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian School Bus Industry Welfare Organisation (BSM) express its dissatisfaction over illegal school vans allowed to operate rampantly without strict enforcement.

Its President Mohamad Haron Mohamad Sidik said the country had been independent for 66 years while the Road Transport Department (RTD) received state-of-the-art technology and Transport Minister had been changed but still did not succeed in enforcing laws against the unlawful vehicle."

Haron said while registered bus companies were subject to several regulations and requirements, illegal school van operations were allowed to operate with little regard for the safety of the students who use the service.

"It seems so hard to put an end to their actions. Due to the low cost of their fares and lack of fear, they serve an impairment to BSM's source of income.

“On the other hand, registered school bus drivers are the ones who are worried since they have to conform to all laws and regulations. This is our experience, and honestly, we are quite disappointed with RTD,” he said in a statement.

He said that during a recent operation in Bandar Kinrara Puchong, RTD inspection detected unlawful vehicles lacking PSV licenses, cover insurance, and road tax.

"RTD sued them, but after a short while, this vehicle returned.

"The lawsuits charge towards them can be paid because all of the collection and profits exceed one hundred percent. Why aren't these vehicles confiscated or the perpetrators jailed?" he asked.

He added that there were no strict actions against the perpetrators as if they were gambling on the students' lives.

"They are not transporting packages, but they are responsible for our children's lives,” he said.

Haron added that illegal vehicles usually transported many children which was very risky, while registered ones had to adhere to the approved limitation.

He said that a complaint had been filed with all necessary details, including a video, photo, the vehicle's license plate number, the location, and the date of the occurrence, but no action had been taken by the agency.

"RTD does not want to listen to the association's advice. Tired and hopeless. Now the owner of these illegal vehicles laughs and mocks us. They are like thugs and threaten us.

“Due to this, we will hold a peaceful rally together with industry players to urge the RTD and police to carry out their duties with honesty, sincerity and trust,” he said.