| Siti Hajar |
THE Ministry of Communications has called upon Bruneians to help the development of the public transport system, saying that plenty of opportunities have been identified for this.
In an interview, the Minister of Communications, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat explained that the ministry – the country’s regulator for matters related to all forms of civilian and public transportation -intends to introduce local bus drivers as part of initiatives in improving the country’s transportation network.
“We are calling on Bruneians to take up this challenge,” the minister said, adding that, “We know it will be trying but the transportation sector does need support by whatever means necessary including the participation of local drivers.”
It was also shared that the ministry is planning to set up driving schools to specifically train bus as well as truck drivers for promoting localisation.
The minister pointed out that there are at present only a few local bus drivers as bus operators prefer to employ foreigners citing financial convenience in terms of salaries.
“Pay scales are decided by bus operators. But if expenses for providing lodging and other facilities to foreign drivers are taken into account, it may not make much of a difference (compared to appointing local drivers). Even a small addition in salary for locals is possible,” explained the minister.
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